Too True to Be Good: The Subculture of American Missionaries in Urban Africa

During a year of sabbatical leave spent in Africa, the author frequently found himself in the presence of American missionaries in urban settings. As a social scientist interested in cultural behavior, he followed his inclination to look for persistent behavior patterns that were characteristic of the missionary groups with whom he came in contact. Taking “culture” to be the shared responses to human problems, he here identifies four pan human problem areas and describes adaptation he observed among missionaries for resolving them. Although his sample is necessarily limited both geographically and denominationally, the observations are provocative and serve as a reminder that the missionary is a product of, as well as an avowed changer of culture.

The Liability Complex among the Chimbu Peoples of New Guinea

The basic concept of liability governs every facet of life in Chimbu (New Guinea) society. It reveals itself in major events such as marriage settlements, blood feuds, and house-building, as well as in ordinary community life, including daily meals. Once a gift has been given, the recipient has liability resting upon him until he fulfills his obligations to the giver. The foreigner who has received a “gift” of “free” services may incur the hostility of the giver if he fails to reciprocate later. This philosophy also affects Chimbu attitudes towards Christianity. When a clan feels it has paid enough for Christ's grace by attending church services and communion, it returns to its former way of life again.

Some Uses of the Past: Traditions and Social Change

Traditions are strong beliefs which legitimate a social system and a culture. Though it would seem that traditions would invariably hinder creative social change, this is not so. A potential agent of change must understand well and respect the traditions of the people among whom he works, but he need not be paralyzed by them. Some traditions contain within themselves a justification for change. Some can be mobilized for development, some are merely irrelevant, some are inimical to change but can be attacked easily, others are inimical to change but must be handled very carefully.

The Fifth Point of the Compass

In order to get to where you want to go, you have to know where you are; otherwise, a compass won't help you. This is equally true in planning for the future in missionary work. Dr. Nida suggests some ways of determining the “fifth point” of the missionary compass.

Classification of Au Myths

Folklore among the Au of Papua New Guinea takes three forms: Tipiitim Tipiir, tales told the ancestors by the spirits; Tipiitim Herwe, tales invented by the ancestors; and Him, tales invented by the older men. The first are basically etiological, the second provide emotional release and entertainment, and the third show attempts to cope with the cultural flux which followed the arrival of Europeans. Certain Scriptural parallels are explored, with their implications for crosscultural communication of the gospel.

Structural Factors in Dukawa Conversion

Heise's theory that Catholic missionaries concentrate on individuals and cause them to depend for psychosocial support on the mission community is tested. An actual case of a convert torn between traditional and Catholic values in Northern Nigeria is given.