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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Christians, Colonists, and Conversion: A View from the Nilotic Sudan
Author:Burton, John W.ISNI
Year:1985
Periodical:Journal of Modern African Studies
Volume:23
Issue:2
Period:June
Pages:349-369
Language:English
Geographic terms:Sudan
Great Britain
Subjects:missionary history
colonialism
Religion and Witchcraft
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
History and Exploration
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/160577
Abstract:This article examines a number of interrelated factors which can be cited to account for the relative failure of evangelical Christianity in three pastoral, Nilotic-speaking communities of the Southern Sudan, the Dinka, Nuer, and Atuot. Whereas the British relied upon missionaries to advance the interests of secular rule, ultimately administrative directives frustrated their evangelical work. Consequently, if the 'success' of Christianity in the colonial period of the history of southern Sudan is measured by a gross number of individuals who experienced conversion, missionaries could claim no great achievement. In addition to these socio-historical factors, to enable a fuller understanding of colonialism and Christianity in the Nilotic Sudan a brief historical survey of both the secular and sacred missions is presented, followed by a discussion of colonialism and Christianity at the local level. A summary analysis deals with the indigenous response to these two agents of conversion. The conclusions reached have considerable relevance to an understanding of the social and political climate of the Sudan at present. - Notes.
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