Chapter Two. "Their Own Church:" L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo, 1896–1960

Abstract

This chapter provides an historical understanding of the making of Eglise Anglicane du Congo (EAC) identity between 1896 and 1960. It analyses the introduction of the Anglican Church into Congo and demonstrates the place of the EAC in the wider context of church affairs in Congo. It then provides a background to the issues of gender, generation, ethnicity and nationality and introduces the first hermeneutical words of Anglican self-identity. Finally, it argues that the Christian message initially appeared new and contrary to escarpment culture but that, within a generation, Anglican Christianity became part of the dominant culture. To use the prominent metaphor of this study, it made itself at home on the Semeliki escarpment whilst also reshaping that home. The events of this chapter take place in the colonial period against a background of flux among Congolese societies.Keywords: Anglican Church; Anglican self-identity; Christian message; church affairs; colonial period; Congolese societies; Eglise Anglicane du Congo (EAC) identity; escarpment culture; Semeliki escarpment