MISSIONS IN CAMEROON
Early Missionaries in Cameroon
The
spread of missions in Cameroon mainly coincides with the establishment of
European colonies in the mid-nineteenth century. Missionaries from Germany, France, Britain,
and eventually America came to Cameroon to spread Christianity, but most
surprisingly and in many ways most influential were Jamaican missionaries from
the years of 1841 until 1852. [1]
Jamaican Missionaries in Cameroon
Add caption by Edwin Ardner (own work)
Add caption by Edwin Ardner (own work)
[public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Merrick_at_Isubu_funeral.jpg
The Jamaican missionaries were employed by the Baptist
Missionary Society (BMS) which was established by the British. The Jamaicans were able to contribute to the
Cameroon Christians because of their freedom and emancipation. This eventually became the identity of the
Cameroon Christians and church. [2] Joseph Merrick is one of the most prominent
missionaries from Jamaica. He arrived in
1844 and he developed the first successful mission in Bimbia, Cameroon. [3]
Merrick’s main contribution was his ability to learn the language of the Isubu people, translate
the Scriptures into the their language, and used his printing press to
distribute copies of the translated Bible. [4]
European Missionaries in Cameroon
add caption by Hauke Koch (own work) [add caption]
European missionaries also contributed to the spread of missions in Cameroon. The British missionary Alfred Saker was the leader of the early Baptist British missionaries and established churches in Cameroon and translated Bibles to the Duala language. [6] Heinrich Vieter was a German missionary that built churches and schools with the Pallottine missionary group. [7] Johannes Ittman was another German that served in the southwestern province and participated in much ethnological research. [8]
Religion in Cameroon Today
In modern Cameroon, Christianity is the dominant religion with two-thirds of the people. Catholic and Protestant Christians occupy mainly the south and western regions of the country. [9] Islam contains about twenty percent of believers and they are concentrated in the north and there are many denominations of Muslims in Cameroon; Sunnis, Shias, Sufis, and Ahmadis. [10] There are indigenous religions still practiced in some areas of Cameroon. Cameroon's history with missionaries has helped shape its beliefs of today. The spread of Christianity occurred because of work from missionaries not only from Europe but Jamaica as well.
add caption by Hauke Koch (own work) [add caption]
via wikimedia commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AlfredSaker.jpg
European missionaries also contributed to the spread of missions in Cameroon. The British missionary Alfred Saker was the leader of the early Baptist British missionaries and established churches in Cameroon and translated Bibles to the Duala language. [6] Heinrich Vieter was a German missionary that built churches and schools with the Pallottine missionary group. [7] Johannes Ittman was another German that served in the southwestern province and participated in much ethnological research. [8]
Religion in Cameroon Today
In modern Cameroon, Christianity is the dominant religion with two-thirds of the people. Catholic and Protestant Christians occupy mainly the south and western regions of the country. [9] Islam contains about twenty percent of believers and they are concentrated in the north and there are many denominations of Muslims in Cameroon; Sunnis, Shias, Sufis, and Ahmadis. [10] There are indigenous religions still practiced in some areas of Cameroon. Cameroon's history with missionaries has helped shape its beliefs of today. The spread of Christianity occurred because of work from missionaries not only from Europe but Jamaica as well.
[1] “Jamaican Missionaries”, Jaap van Slageren, “Jamaican
Missionaries in Cameroon”, Exchange 30,
No.2
(2001). 145. DOI: 10.1163/157254301X00093,
¶1
[2]
“Jamaican Missionaries”, Jaap van Slageren, “Jamaican Missionaries in
Cameroon”, Exchange 30,
No.2
(2001). 145. DOI: 10.1163/157254301X00093,
¶1
[3]
“Joseph Merrick”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Merrick_(missionary)
, ¶2
[4]
“Joseph Merrick”, Jaap van Slageren, “Jamaican Missionaries in Cameroon”, Exchange 30,
No.2
(2001). 150. DOI: 10.1163/157254301X00093,
¶1
[5]
“Joseph Merrick”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Merrick_(missionary)
, ¶3
[6]
“Alfred Saker”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Saker
, ¶3
[7]
“Heinrich Vieter”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Vieter
,¶1
[8]
“Johannes Ittman”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Ittman
, ¶1
[9]
“Religion Today”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameroon#Religion
, ¶1
[10]
“Religion Today”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameroon#Religion
, ¶1
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