Leprosy and Christian conversion in twentieth-century Inhambane, Mozambique

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• African History
• Religious Studies

Background:

• The historical context of Protestant proselytism in Mozambique.
• The presence of the Methodist Episcopal Church and its interactions with local populations.
• Leprosy as a significant contextual factor influencing interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the agency of Africans interacting with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
• To explore the creation of new identities within the researcher-researched relationship.
• To analyze the impact of cultural shock and gender dynamics on field research.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research methods including observations and interviews.
• Analysis of primary sources from the Historical Archive of Mozambique.
• Fieldwork conducted in Maputo and Inhambane.

Main Results:

• Africans demonstrated agency, not passive reception, in their engagement with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
• Creative adaptation strategies were employed by Africans to leverage the church's presence.
• The research process itself influenced identity formation and highlighted cultural and gender issues.

Conclusions:

• The study refutes the notion of Africans as passive recipients of religious influence.
• Agency and creative adaptation were key features of religious and social change.
• Field research is a complex process influenced by researcher-researched dynamics, cultural factors, and gender relations.