The rise of African christian consciousness: exploring the trajectories in the africanisation of the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe (1934 – 1982)

Abstract

Until Lions write their own history, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter”- so goes an African proverb. The truism of such a wisdom saying among Africans is validated when one takes a look at the planting of Christianity in Africa. Most accounts told and retold the achievements made by the early Christian missionaries and hardly is there mention of the evangelised. Taking a third world perspective, this paper examines the struggle by African converts to add an African flavour to the new religion they had received. Focusing on the Catholic Church, in particular, the paper discusses the process and challenges faced in trying to come up with a Christianised Kuchenura Munhu Rite. The zeal and determination shown to see such a rite see the light of day shows that Africans were not just mere receptors but major players in the process of Christianization of Africa.