Ashanti

1 Report on Ashanti for 1921, paragraph 61, p. 15.

...adopted in Nigeria, where the activities of Christian missions are restricted. It has not done so, however; and in the words of the 1921 annual report for Ashanti, "in certain parts of Ashanti, something like a 'mass movement' toward Christianity has begun." 1

Therefore, it might appear that we have reached a point where, to be frank, Christianity seems to be a stumbling block in the path of progress. I am convinced, however, that this very factor provides the means by which our goal may be reached. It is from Christianity and Christian missions that colonial governments original: "Colonial Administrations" and Africans who love their own country will eventually draw that internal power which alone will justify keeping "the best in the Africans' culture and beliefs." The suggestion I am now advocating has been made before, but I believe it has not been given nearly as much publicity as its importance deserves.

It is perhaps not easy for those at home in England to grasp the idea that the Christianity of England and our ancestors is not suitable for Africa. Yet many who would deny this are constantly repeating the need to remodel Western ideas of education to suit the African's particular character original: "genius".

2 Now Governor of St. Helena.

Mr. Charles Harper, 2 a former Chief Commissioner of Ashanti and the man who first prompted the start of the Anthropological Research Branch in Ashanti, expressed an opinion in his 1921 Report that deserves to be widely known.

3 The italics are mine throughout.

"It may be," (he wrote, speaking of the "mass movement" toward Christianity which I just mentioned) — "It may be, and missions are aware of this fact, that such a movement carries certain dangers. It is possible that established native moral habits and the valuable—and perhaps even inspired—elements of native religion 3 will be cast aside in a burst of temporary enthusiasm, without anything lasting or substantial to take their place.

4 The African himself must, I think, guide us as to what should be retained. — R. S. R.

"There will likely be much found in native customs and habits of thought that can be carried over into a Christian community," 4 and while this great impulse toward Christianity is stirring among the Ashanti, there is therefore a need for constant guidance and supervision by European missionaries who are experienced in and sympathetic toward native customs and beliefs."

The most significant contribution to this question, which I believe to...