Reasons that influenced Christian missionary activity

Missionary interests in West Africa can be grouped into religious, humanitarian, economic and imperialistic in nature hence the following ought to be considered.

Religiously the major interest was to spread Christianity to West Africans. This was the age of Evangelization in Europe. Therefore, the missionaries wished to prepare the souls of Africans for heaven by converting them to the Christian faith. They also reasoned that their religion was the best throughout the world and that it was their right to convert Africans.

The Earliest missionaries especially from Portugal had conquered West Africa in order to destroy Islam. This came as a revenge against the earlier Moslem occupation of western and central Europe in 711 A.D. Therefore the fact that islam was deeply rooted in the West Africans, many missionaries wished to up root it.

Some missionaries came to complete the "great work" of explorers in West Africa. These wore highly respected in Europe because of their great degree of courage, faith, discoveries, written reports about Africa and there were a number of incomplete missions they had left behind.

They also wished to promote western civilisation, and education to what they considered the unfortunate or barbaric Africans in West Africa. This would enable them to destroy the African culture, language, religious beliefs and create a new class of Africans who would in future help their governments to promote and protect European colonial interests in West Africa. They had a feeling that the Africans were uncivilized and backward.

From humanitarian considerations, missionaries wanted to stop slave trade and slavery which in this period, was regarded as evil trade. They argued that it caused inter- tribal wars, heavy loss of lives and property, political insecurity and suffering of many communities in areas which were once peaceful.

The missionaries would encourage and promote the establishment of legitimate trade in West Africa following the successful abolition of slave trade. This was a trade mainly in industrial goods from Europe and raw materials from Africans communities.

This was a product of the success in the establishment of the industrial sector in the big power of Western Europe. Therefore missionaries were to help their home governments to open up new market avenues. They were also to ensure that African re enslaved within West Africa to offer ready market for the European finished products.

Politically the missionaries came indirectly as agents of European Imperialism. They had a Mission lo establish close friendly regions with African chiefs and in turn prepare ground for the creation of political empire of West Africa hence the common saying that the flag followed the cross" is quite applicable to West Africa either for the British or the Germans

Rehabilitate slaves, some wanted to resettle and rehabilitate the freed slaves at the West African coast

Others came as explorers or adventurous and wanted to discover what lay beyond the countries.

They wanted to put an end to backward and barbarous African culture such as hum sacrifices and cannibalism. They therefore thought their culture was advanced and it was their duty to civilize the uncivilized Africans. However it has to be noted that there was cannibalism in Europe too.

Some came in response to the invitations of African leaders.

Some were motivated because of the donations they got from the church and char organizations in Europe to carry out evangelical work in Africa.

Easy communication from Europe to Africa as a result of industrial revolution might ha motivate missionaries to come and work in Africa.

Missionary came as a result of a wider Christian revival in Europe in the 16th century this, led to the conversion of many people who condemned sinful ways of behavior. They became champions of behavior change in Africa.

The success of the earlier groups  for example explorers, traders inspired later missionary societies to be formed and come to West Africa.

CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES IN WEST AFRICA

Christianity was first introduced by the Portuguese In their early visits in the 15th century and some attempts had been made at missionary work in Sene-gambia, Benin, but it was not permanently established.

The French, the Dutch, and Spanish also tried missionary work in the 17th and 18th century and educated some Africans abroad, but again there was no permanency in their activities as many died off, and commerce took the interest of many.

Real serious missionary work began in the 19th century, as a result of the great revival in Christianity in many countries of Europe, and America towards the end of the 18th century.

Their main interest in West Africa was to eradicate slave trade, by introducing Christianity and legitimate trade to replace the slave trade.

They also wanted to stop the spread of Islam.

Missionary societies which participated in missionary work in West Africa included, the Wesieyan Missionary society, the Baptist Missionary Society.

These operated in Sierra Leone, Gambia and Ghana and Yorubaland.

The Glasgow and Scottish Missionary Societies also sent missionaries to West Africa.

The North German and Bremen Missionary Society.

MISSIONARY ACTIVITY IN WEST AFRICA

The first European missionaries to West Africa belonged to the Portuguese catholic missions which came as far back as 15th - 17th Century however their activities did not have a lot of influence and thus no trace of their work could be found in 19th Century West Africa.  Missionary work in West Africa took off during the "age of imperialism" as a result of humanitarians work, due to the religious revival in Europe and churches sprung up in different parts of West Africa in guise of abolishing slave trade, spreading Christianity and introducing western civilization to the primitive and backward Africans.

Among these missionary groups included; the missionary society established in 1789 in Sierra Leone, C.M.S, in the Niger valley, the activities of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther who opened up churches in the Niger delta, Nigeria and other delta states.

Meanwhile in Ghana missionaries work was pioneered by the church of England society as other churches moved as far as the coast of West Africa such that by 1860, the Holy ghost fathers had moved to Senegal and Gambia, Dahomey, Sierra Leone and Nigeria as the white fathers operated in ivory coast, Dahomey and Benin.

Missionary activities in West Africa had far reaching consequences.

Missionaries developed agriculture through introducing new crops and seeds, established plantations and better methods of farming were taught to the people which is exemplified by coffee, cocoa and orange plantations which were set up in Ghana by the Methodists in the years of 1840's, cotton growing was introduced in Abeokuta in 1850.

Closely related missionaries encouraged commerce through formation of trading companies and setting up of trading centers through which their agricultural products could be sold for example the Basel missionary society formed the Basel trading company and the Church Missionary Society formed the West African company.

They reduced inhuman practices like human scarifies to gods, twin mutilation all of which created a conducive atmosphere for European occupation during the time of colonialism.

Missionaries also encouraged education through establishment of both elementary and secondary schools and colleges which greatly served to improve the literacy level in different part of West Africa and also contributed to the civilization mission of missionary activities for example the Fourah Bay College and Aume Walsh.

Despite the impact of these missionaries, their activities were greatly hampered by the unhealthy climatical conditions, tropical diseases which cost a lot of their lives such as malaria, yellow fever, sleeping sickness etc. It's not surprising that historians have described West Africa as "a grave yard" of the Europeans. 

They also faced a problem of poor communication and transport because West Africa was still underdeveloped in terms of roads, railways etc.

They faced the challenge of Islam especially in some parts of West Africa, which were Islamic oriented.

There was opposition and hostility from the tribal and traditional leaders who they foresaw as people who wanted to take over their independence.  These were supported by traditional religious groups which were greatly opposed to missionary activities for example the Poro Society among the indigenous Temne and Mende in Sierra Leone.

Despite all these problems, missionaries played a very important role in paving way for European colonialism in the different parts of West Africa and its therefore from this basis that missionaries have been looked at as fore runners or harbingers of European colonialism/imperialism.

Results of the Missionary Actlvities

Missionaries converted Africans to Christianity. The people were to the new Christian mode of life. To achieve this, the missionaries built cathedrals and churches and trained African catechists to help in the teaching of the new faith.

They played a major role in the field of education. Primary and secondary schools as well as tracing colleges were set up. The Fouray Bay College for example was founded by the CMS By 1846, Wesleyans had set 4 schools for girls and 20 boy's schools in Ghana. In 1776, it opened the first secondary school in Ghana. Basel opened boarding schools and established the Aleropong Presbyterian Training College

Literacy: The general literacy in West Africa increased since they were encouraged to read the 3Rs that is Reading, religion, arithmetic and writing.            

They came up with technical and vocational education: This was introduced in form of carpentry block lying, and agriculture.

Some established printing press, for example the Presbyterian Press in Ghana and the CMS Press on Nigeria for printing and distribution of religious literature.

They studied some of the African languages and translated them in writing; such languages, like the Temne, the Twi, Ga, Eura, Yoruba, Hausa, and Ejika. The Bible was, translated into some of these Languages.

There were a number of new languages such as English, French, and German and Latin introduced in many parts of West Africa. They are being used up to the present day in Africa.                                               

The missionaries indirectly contributed to a high standard of living such as good hygienic conditions, better feeding and some income from employment.

They built hospitals and generally introduced better medical services, equipment and medicine that helped to reduce death rates. This also increased the general Welfare of Africans.

However, Africans use of traditional priests and witchdoctors was seriously undermined by the teachings of Christianity.                                   

Missionaries persuaded their home governments to intervene and effectively abolish slave trade In West Africa.                                 

Missionaries exercised tremendous influence on Africa culture and general social life example they condemned and destroyed bad practice like human sacrifices, condemned polygamy In favour of monogamy, condemned circumcision of men and women.

European architecture and styles of dressing were also adopted by Africans; Burial ceremonies were also conducted along religious lines.

The missionaries made a serious effort to abolish slave trade and practice of slavery in West Africa.

They looked down on everything African and African indigenous culture was retarded.

They concentrated on reading, writing and arithmetic and neglected industrial and technical training operated in Togo, the Basel Evangelical Missionary society, from Switzerland operated in eastern Ghana, the United Presbyterian church of Scotland on Calabar, the society of French Missions from France in Ivory Coast, Dahomey and Benin. Others came from U.S.A and operated in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Yorubaland.

Economic developments

Missionaries introduced cash crop economy in West Africa and most of the crops they brought stand out as the major export of the West African countries

The missionaries even introduced better farming methods, which have benefited the people of West Africa. However they can be blamed for ignoring industrialisation of West Africa.

Missionaries paved a way for the promotion of legitimate trade in West Africa to replace the evil slave trade. This was achieved through the introduction of cash crop economy and European industrial products on a large scale.

Missionaries financed the survey and construction of Murram roads to open up the interior and as a means to end slave trade. This would ease the development of military battalions and also develop legitimate trade.

Opened up mission stations, which with time grew into important commercial and urban centres.

Missionaries greatly contributed to the development of the rriajor economic infrastructure such as roads, it is important to note that these roads only went to the places with minerals and cotton.

Missionaries indirectly acted as agents of European imperialism example they softened the wonderful biblical preaching and threats.

The missionaries softened the hearts and minds of the would be resistors. They were just too cool to resist. Their political powers were weakened.

Missionaries influenced some local leaders to collaborate with the colonial administrators.

Missionary work paved way for European colonization so as the saying goes that" the flag followed the cross" came true.

Missionaries divided Africans communities along religious lines for example it became practically difficult for the Catholic to co-operate with Protestants. The children of Catholics could not be admitted in Protestant schools and vice versa.

Missionaries drafted and persuaded Africans chiefs to sign treaties of "protection" or friend ship with colonial powers

Missionary influence aIso gave rise to modern Africans nationalism in West Africa. The produce of the education system later became pioneers of nationalist movements and helped to achieve political independence for their respective countries.

Problems Faced by Christian Missionaries in West Africa.

Although missionaries registered a lot of success, they at the same time faced several problems in West Africa.

Language barrier: This made communication very difficult between the missionaries and the Africans. The missionaries came from different European countries and used different languages and yet each tribe in West Africa had its own language. This required use of interpreters but they were scarce. The few who were available could not present the exact information to the Africans. This therefore slowed down their work.

Tropical diseases: missionaries suffered from a number of disease example small pox, sleeping sickness, malaria fever. This was mainly caused by hostile climate. The ill health there fore hindered missionaries from progressing in their work.

Transport and communication: Before the 1850's most parts of West Africa were covered by thick bushes, big rivers which had no bridges, no motor vehicles ship or trains for easy movements. Therefore the early missionaries walked long distances into the interior. This partly affected their health and slowed progress of their work.

Inadequate Numbers. Before 1850, very few Europeans were willing to work in West Africa because Africa was generally referred to as "A white man's grave". Indeed the few who came were pre-occupied with a lot of work that is promoting western civilisation and Christianity over a large area hence this delayed their progress.

Inadequate financial support: The respective home governments were not able to send adequate financial support As a result, they ran short of essential resources like medicine, food and clothing. The long distance between West Africa and European hindered quick supply of those required implements which were too slow by then. As a result, construction of schools, hospitals, churches, had to be delayed.

Hostile tribes. Some tribes snd oven local chiefs further hindered the progress of the missionaries. Therefore, it was difficult for the missionaries to in some places.

Influence of Islam: Islam was well established along the West Africans coast including some interior tribes.

Arab slave traders. This became a constant problem to the missionaries especially in the coastal areas. This was because the missionaries preached against slave trade

In some instances, porters deserted the missionaries and escaped with their boxes of essential requirements.

Strong influence from well established Africa religious, customs and practices. These tribes attached too much loyalty to their believers hence it was difficult to convince them away hence this delayed their activities.

Bad climatic conditions: they were affected by unfavorable climatic conditions especially in tropical regions that are characterised by heavy rainfall and high temperatures all the time.

Limited resources: The missionaries suffered from inadequate resources such as medicine, food, clean water among others. This was caused by lack of reinforcements, from Europe.

Thick forests: In some places thick impenetrable forests hindered the work of missionaries. Such areas of the equatorial vegetation became largely impassable.

Resistors: The .African leaders at that time saw missionaries as representatives of European imperialism who were only interested in taking away their Independence.

Wild animals: Such dangerous animals such as leopards, lions, elephants, and buffaloes made missionaries fear to go to certain areas because they would be killed and eaten by these animals.

Local conflicts: Most West African societies were at war with their neighbours and as a result missionaries found themselves being killed in the war situation.

Difficult terrain: Relief features such "as high mountains and Hills, valleys, rivers and lakes made transport had for the missionaries and the people they worked with.

Many missionaries knew very little about the interior of Africa.

The missionaries were over worked and they found themselves becoming sickly and died early.

They were not able to penetrate already isiamised lands, especially those of northern Nigeria, whereby it was the official policy of Lugard, to respect the religious feelings of the Emirs.