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Journal of the American Academy of Religion Advance Access originally published online on February 2, 2008
Journal of the American Academy of Religion 2008 76(1):111-137; doi:10.1093/jaarel/lfm117
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press, on behalf of the American Academy of Religion. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Ghambageu Encounters Jesus in Sonjo Mythology: Syncretism as African Rational Action

Mika Vähäkangas

Mika Vähäkangas, Lecturer of Missiology, Adjunct Professor of Dogmatics, Department of Systematic Theology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 33, Helsinki 00014, Finland

Tel. +358 45-1351291. E-mail: mika.vahakangas{at}helsinki.fi


  Abstract

Christian missions have worked among the Sonjo of North Tanzania for six decades. In spite of this, there are very few converts to Christianity. However, teachings of Christianity have been largely absorbed into Sonjo traditional religion. The apotheosized Sonjo cultural hero Ghambageu has gained an ever-increasing importance in Sonjo religion to the extent that it seems to be on a way towards a peculiar monotheism. The personality of Ghambegeu has transformed increasingly into the image of Jesus. Eventually, these two religious figures are on the way to being fused together. In this process, Sonjo traditional leaders have played an active role. Their action can be considered rational from the point of view of preserving the Sonjo social and cultural stability. At the same time, in spite of the meager visible success of Christian mission, Christianity has had a profound effect on the Sonjo through their traditional religion.


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