Chewa Rainmaking Beliefs and the Dutch Reformed Missionaries in Central Malawi, 1889–1905
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12916869 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Henry Mbaya (0000-0002-4325-4559, Stellenbosch University, corresponding author), Thokozile J Mbaya (0009-0001-3512-9846, VID Specialized University) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 55 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 38-55 |
| Publication date | 2024-01-02 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | African Historical Review (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1753-2523 • E-ISSN: 1753-2531 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/17532523.2024.2339594 |
| OpenAlex | W4396898498 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 16 |
28 November 1889 marked the first encounter between the Dutch Reformed missionaries from South Africa and the Chewa society at Chiwere village in central Malawi. The encounter took place during a drought, and the missionaries were challenged to pray for rain. This article discusses the significance of the encounter in terms of the religious powers represented by Reformed Christianity through the agency of missionaries, and Chewa religious and cultural beliefs through the agency of rainmakers. The article shows that the missionaries' interventions and teachings undermined the Chewa rain-related belief systems. Finally, the article argues that the missionaries' conversion of Chauwa at Nkhoma considerably undermined the Chewa religious system to the extent that it provoked resistance from some Chewa people.Keywords: beliefsChewaChristianityDutchMalawirainReformed missionariesritual
Ancient history · Political science · Traditional medicine · African history and culture studies · African studies and sociopolitical issues · History · Medicine · South African History and Culture
Catholics, Peasants, and Chewa Resistance in Nyasaland 1889–1939
Conversion to Christianity
Afrikaner Missionaries and the Slippery Slope of Praying for Rain
Resistance to Anglican Missionary (umca) Activities in Southern Malawi in 1861
The Cape Dutch Reformed Church Mission in Malawi
General History of Africa, V
Of Revelation and Revolution, Volume 1
The Convert as a Social Type
Of Revelation and Revolution
A Chewa cosmology of the body
| Highly cited | No |
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