Question

Give three reasons for the rise of independent churches during the colonial period.

Answer 1

1. Africans were unhappy with the Westernizing influence of Christian missionaries who taught against African customs such as female circumcision and polygamy.
2. Although Africans wanted to become Christians they still wanted to retain their cultural values.
3. Although Africans wanted to become Christians they still wanted to retain their cultural values.
4. African began to perceive mission education as inadequate, as it mostly prepared Africans for low positions in government or jobs as labourers in European farms.
5. Politically independent churches and schools emerged as a reaction against colonial domination and exploitation.
6. Many Africans also perceived the European missionaries as agents of the wider colonial system.
7. Independent churches were started by Africans who claimed to have received a divine calling for example John Owalo and Elijah Masinde.
8. Some churches were established after people felt dissatisfied with the interpretation of the Christian scriptures.
9. Many mission churches did not accommodate traditional African expressions of worship e.g dancing, singing and drum beating. Thus some independence churches were formed to allow Africans to express their Christianity freely.