What are the Reasons for the rise of Protest and Religious Movements

The Rise of Protest and Religious Movement


Protest is often a reaction against those who mistreat or humiliate others, indicating that their treatment cannot be taken anymore. It can be through active physical reaction such as fighting or striking, passive protest could be done through boycotts and other silent reactions.



Religious movement refers to the churches which were formed by Missionaries. At this period they emerged as an independent churches movement led by Africans. It prevailed in the early 20th century among the Africans communities. Took the form of either indigenous protest movement and includes the following;



a. The Native Baptist church Movement led by Africa in Nigeria.

b. Kimbanguism Church formed by Simon Kimbangu in 1920 (Congo)

c. Dini ya Msambwa in Kenya

d. The providence Industrial Mission formed in 1906 in Nyasaland by John Chilebwe

e. Abamalack Church Movement in Uganda

f. The Watch Tour (1906) in Malawi which later spread to another area i.e. Rhodesia and Belgium Congo.

g. The Kikuyu Independent Church formed in 1929 by Daud Maina

h. The African National Church


Reasons for the rise of Protest and Religious Movements

• Dissatisfaction with Christians Missionaries acts of westernizing them, making them denounces their African values and culture. Example white Missionaries talked negatively about polygamy and female circumcision among Kikuyu society.

• African disapproval to the Missionary education system. They considered it to be inadequate as it only taught Africans reading, writing and arithmetic (the 3Rs) which enabled Africans to occupy low position in administration structure.

• Africans perceived Missionaries as colonial agents, as many of them acquired labour, farms and exploited them just like white settlers.

• Involvement of Africans in European wars

Characteristics of independent Churches movement

Independent churches movements had the following common characteristics;

a) They worked hand with hand with the African political associations

b) They were against some aspects of the western culture

c) They were led by Africans.