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Browsing College of Social Sciences by Subject "1920s - 2000"

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    Historical dynamics for the growth of African independent churches in Mbeya region in, Tanzania, 1920s-2000
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2018) Jackson, Ashura
    This thesis is a historical analysis of the evolution of the African Independent Churches (AICs) in Mbeya Region, Tanzania, from the 1920s to 2000. In particular, it examines the social, economic and political developments that shaped the emergence and development of AICs in Mbeya region. It analyses the responses of the state, historical churches and local people to the rise and growth of AICs and examines the survival strategies of AICs in Mbeya region. Methodologically, the thesis is based on a careful analysis of oral interviews, archival documents and secondary data. It is guided by the political economy and deprivation theories. It is argued that AICs emerged in Mbeya in the 1920s as a critique of the historical churches that operated in the region from the 1890s. AICs opposed historical churches in matters such as polygamy, racism, individualism and exploitation brought about by colonialism. It is further argued that the growth of AICs during the British colonial period and into the post-colonial period was shaped by economic, political and social changes, such as labour migration, freedom of worship, education and polygamy. The thesis notes that AICs consistently faced difficulties from the state, historical churches and citizens. The state thought that AICs did not abide by existing laws and caused religious friction with historical churches. Thus the state did not lease land to some AICs, it delayed their registration, and was hesitant to formally recognise them. Historical churches opposed the AICs based on economic reasons, doctrinal principles, and competition over converts. The thesis has uncovered the strategies that enabled AICs to survive, grow and thrive despite the difficulties and opposition they encountered. They included intensive preaching of the Bible from the African perspective, providing people with opportunities, overcoming some psychological problems, linking faith with African culture, being independent and following procedures laid down by the government in their operations. This study makes a modest contribution to the historiography of Africa by identifying the critical role that AICs played in the development of Christianity. It affirms that the growth of the AICs was interwoven with the social, economic and political changes that occurred in Mbeya region from the 1920s to 2000.