INDIGENIZATION OF CHRISTIANITY IN EAST AFRICA

Christianity

Indigenization of the church in East Africa was done so as to reduce on the misunderstandings that existed between the Missionaries and Bombay Africans at the cost over African cultures. something that was greatly hindering the spread of Christianity besides promoting the rise of African independent churches.

Indigenization is the same as Africanisation.

It refers to the allowing and acceptance of some African cultural elements into church.

The church in East Africa has been indigenized/ Africanized/enculturised in a number of ways as shown below.

There is a rapidly growing African population in the church compared to the small population of the whites.

Africans have become church leaders replacing the white missionaries hence indigenizing the church. E.g. Arch Bishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of the Catholic Church in Uganda.

There is use of local languages during worship in the church today like Luganda, Kiswahili etc hence Africanizing the church.

There is also playing of African music dance and drama and singing of African songs during church worship.

Christians today worship from any place like from markets, on streets and play grounds thus indigenizing Christianity.

Many Africans are serving as missionaries moving from one place to another spreading the gospel.

During the baptism, African names are given to those being baptized thereby Africanizing the church.

Circumcision, an African practice is still being practiced by the Christians and it’s allowed by the church.

There is recognition of any day as a day of worship besides the Sabbath brought by the missionaries.

African items such as chicken, goats, cows etc are offered to the church hence Africanizing Christianity.

The church in East Africa recognizes customary marriage to the extent that with out it the couple cannot be wedded in church.

In the church today, there is still use of African music instruments such as drams, xylophones etc hence indigenizing Christianity.

Christians also dress in African wears and go for church services e.g. they put on kanzus, gomesi, Mushnana etc hence Africanizing the church.

Religious books like Bibles have been translated into local languages an evidence that the church has been indigenized.

How the church is not yet indigenized

However, there are still some European elements in the church of East Africa as shown below.

Many African Christians prefer to use European Christian name like Stephen, Getrude, Helen, James, Samuel, Simon, Richard etc.

Many African Christians believe in one God instead of the gods.

There is belief in Jesus Christ among Africans who is not African.

Most churches in East Africa use European music instruments like keyboards, Guitars etc during worship

Africans believe in the resurrection of the dead which is a foreign idea.

African Christian so much believes in the Bible which is a foreign book.

Most African Christians believe and go to a specific house/building called a church for worship which is also foreign.

Monogamous marriages are highly emphasized in church rather than polygamous marriages.

There is increased celebration of Christmas and Easter days by Christians an idea that came from Europe.

There is taking of the Holy Communion i.e. sharing of the body and blood of Jesus by African Christians.

There is giving of money as offertory in the church which is foreign.

There is a lot of foreign church funding from European countries like America, Britain etc.

Foreign languages are still being used during church services especially English.

Church leaders like Reverends, priests, Bishops and Arch Bishops put on robes which originated from Europe.

There is use of foreign objects like rosaries during worship by the Africans especially the Catholics.

The world heads of Churches are whites and Africans Christians believe in them so much.eg the pope for the Catholic Church.