SCOTTISH MISSIONARY PERCEPTIONS AND IMAGES OF THE AMAXHOSA IN THE EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This article gives an analysis of the origins and early beginnings of mission stations among the amaXhosa from the eighteenth to the nineteenth centuries, which gradually became a centre of missionary activities among amaNgqika and amaGcaleka. This article analyses the history of the arrival and activities of the missionaries east and west of the Nciba (Kei) River in the eighteenth century and beyond. It also examines the role of the missionaries in shaping the relations among the traditional leaders and the colonial governors.

The activities of the Scottish missionaries among the amaXhosa are closely tied up with the decline of traditional authority, power, control and influence, disintegration of amaXhosa chiefdoms and kingdom attended to by a loss of land and lives. The colonial government’s forceful removal amaNgqika from Ciskei and resettlement in Gcalekaland is also brought to surface.

Key words: Christianity, amaGcaleka, amaNgqika, conversion, resettlement, traditional authority.