On the Way to Whiteness: Christianization, Conflict and Change in Colonial Ovamboland, 1910-1965

The spread of the Christian faith is often said to have marked the greatest change in 20th century Africa. This dissertation analyzes the processes of this change in Ovamboland of northern Namibia, where it was initiated and guided by Finnish missionaries. By using a socio-historical approach, this research presents an interesting analysis which suggests that conversion to Christianity was often a multi-casual chain of events where the primary motives of the converts were often quite practical. The study presents new information concerning the relationship between the Ovambo and the Finnish missionaries, and by so doing also particularizes or corrects some of the earlier views on the social and cultural effects of Ovambo christianization.