Indigenous African Women's Contribution to Christianity in NE Zambia – Case Study: Helen Nyirenda Kaunda. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kangwa, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Feminist theology. Volume 26:Number 1(2017:Sep.)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 46
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Helen Nyirenda Kaunda -- indigenous African women -- Lubwa Mission -- Mwenzo Mission -- Free Church of Scotland -- North Eastern Zambia; 230.08205
• DOI: 10.1177/0966735017711871
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-7350

Abstract

This article explores the contribution of indigenous African women to the growth of Christianity in North Eastern Zambia. Using a socio-historical method, the article shows that the Presbyterian Free Church of Scotland in North Eastern Zambia evangelized mainly through literacy training and preaching. The active involvement of indigenous ministers and teacher-evangelists was indispensable in this process. The article argues that omission of the contribution of indigenous African women who were teacher-evangelists in the standard literature relating to the work of the Presbyterian Free Church of Scotland in North Eastern Zambia exposes a patriarchal bias in mission historiography. In an effort to redress this omission, the article explores and evaluates the contribution and experience of an indigenous African woman, Helen Nyirenda Kaunda. Based on relevant research the article concludes that indigenous African women were among the pioneers of mission work in North Eastern Zambia.