Ethnic patriotism and the East African Revival
Book Description
This compelling exploration reveals how spiritual awakening and cultural identity collided during one of Africa's most transformative periods. Derek R. Peterson examines the East African Revival, a powerful evangelical movement that swept across eastern and central Africa, creating profound tensions between religious converts and those championing traditional cultural values.
The book illuminates a fascinating spiritual and political drama that unfolded as African nations moved toward independence. Revival converts embraced a radical reimagining of community and belonging, often distancing themselves from ancestral traditions and kinship obligations. This spiritual transformation put them at odds with cultural patriots who sought to preserve and strengthen connections to indigenous wisdom and local identity.
Peterson presents religious conversion not merely as a personal spiritual experience, but as a bold political act that challenged established social structures and opened new possibilities for self-understanding. The converts' willingness to question cultural norms and redefine community boundaries created significant friction with those working to maintain traditional foundations.
Through careful historical analysis, this work demonstrates how spiritual movements can become catalysts for broader social change, sometimes creating unexpected conflicts between religious devotion and cultural preservation. The book offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between faith, identity, and community during periods of political transition.
For readers interested in understanding how spiritual awakening intersects with cultural transformation, this study provides a thought-provoking examination of faith's power to reshape both individual lives and entire societies.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~10 hours)
📄 Length: 370 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Erweckungsbewegung
- ✓ Explore General
- ✓ Explore East Africa Revival
- ✓ Explore Historia
- ✓ Explore Unabhängigkeitsbewegung
- ✓ Explore Africa, east, religion
- ✓ Explore HISTORY / Africa / General
- ✓ Explore Religion
