Religion in South Africa

Melissa Chinault

Hannah Suh

Austin Puckett

Kyle Canter

Foster Machicote

Before Colonization

• First people to live in South Africa were the San and KhoiKhoi tribes.

• Both were hunter-gatherers and migrated around the country.

• Although there was not a set religion, the San and KhoiKhoi were very spiritual in the special tribal dances and events they performed. They also drew many pictures.

• The KhoiKhoi and San were polytheistic.

Impact of Christianity

• The polytheistic culture was diminishing as more Africans started to accept Christianity.

• Christianity is now one of the two most widely practiced religions in South Africa.

• Christianity allowed development in Africa. Many of the first schools and hospitals in Africa were founded by Christians, improving the lifestyles of the Africans.

Dominant Sects During the 1940’s

• Afrikaners, also known as “Boers”, were from the Netherland and France. They were Protestant and self-sufficient. They lived settled in rural areas, making a living off of farming, trading, and hunting.

• The British were liberal. They wanted to end slavery in South Africa.

• These opposing viewpoints would lead to “the Great Trek”.

Other Sects

• White• Colored:• Asian• Indian• African Natives

Work Cited

• "Afrikaners: The Pioneers Of South Africa." Essortment. 23 Jan. 2012. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://www.essortment.com/afrikaners-pioneers-south-africa-33519.html>.

• Bobby-Evans, Alistair. "Pre-Colonial Cultures in South Africa." : San and Khoikhoi. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://africanhistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa-SAColonists1.htm>.

• "Researcher Says Christianity Has a Positive Effect in Africa." - Suomen Lähetysseura. The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Misson. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://www.mission.fi/in_english/news/?x7805=3073707>.

• Williams, Jimmy. "Impact of Christianity." Home. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://www.inplainsite.org/html/impact_of_christianity.html>.