The Role Of Religion In Development: The Case Of Christianity In The Matengo Highlands From 1890 To 1968

ABSTRACT

This study investigated on the role of Christianity (Roman Catholic Mission) and the extent to which it influencedin the socio-economic development of the Matengo Highlands. This study analyzed the evolution, existence, practice and role of traditional religious values and missionary (Germans nationals) strategy of conversion through the support of German colonial administration.The study further investigated why during the British colonial rule up to 1945 there was phenomenal expansion of Christianity in the Matengo Highlands. The study also investigated why from 1950s Missionaries prepared smooth transition to indigenous clergy, local church and finally in 1968 the missionaries retreated to Peramiho Abbatia. The evidence gathered through archival, observation, group discussion, interviews and the secondary data methods concluded that until 1918 when German Benedictines were interned and finally deported to German in 1920 Christianity did not yet had root in the Matengo Highlands. But the mission centers rose from 2 in 1926 to 12 in 1968, the number of converts rose from 4000 in 1920 to 150,000 in 1968 subsequently ranking number one in the whole of Tanzania. Until 1961 when independence was achieved in Tanzania, the Matengo Highlands did not have any education and health services apart from those offered by the Roman Catholic missionaries. However, evidence does not conclude that these services were liberative and developmental to Wamatengo. To the contrary evidence suggests that Christianity made Matengo people dependent and submissive to missionaries. When in early 1969 the missionaries retired to Peramiho Abbatia, the Matengo remained helpless and dependent.