The necessity of the second phase of Evangelization among Vambunza in the Bunya area of the northeastern parts of Namibia
In this study we address the issue of the necessity of the second phase of evangelization among Vambunza people in the Mbunza area. Mbunza is an area in the Northeastern parts of Namibia. The majority of people living there are called Vambunza. The Mission Christianity has left the local people with unclear consciences. There is a tension between Christianity and culture. This is due to the fact that many cultural and traditional objects were never taken as a starting point of evangelization among the people of this area. This study aims at showing that the Vambunza culture and tradition, impefect as they are, are the manifestation and revelation of the presence of God among them. In this study some concepts will be suggested and encorporated in re-evangelizing them. The study aims at showing that there are many Christian values which could be explained easily by deriving examples from Mbunza tradition and culture,which was not the case in the first evangelization. This is an attempt to make the Church like a mirror in which Vambunza see themselves and recognize their true face and feel completely at home in their Christian faith. It is suggested that the Vambunza should appreciate being Christians, while not rejecting their African religious and cultural roots. The study suggests that the Vambunza should own Christianity in such a way that it becomes a genuine answer to the totality of the way of their life. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reconcile the Gospel and the Vambunza culture so that Christianity can become an inculturated part and parcel of their lives. The study will also underline new challenges, which would cause new methods and approaches of evangelization in the same area. The Church cannot simply continue with the same methods and approaches that they used 72 years ago when the mission station was founded. This study will challenge people to study more about Vambunza and to know more about their needs, beliefs, ethics and aspirations. The study will show the importance of Vambunza oral literature and oral tradition, which can help them to preach the Gospel within their own context as African Christians. This argument is developed and supported by five chapters. Chapter 1 will give background information about the study. This includes stating the purpose of the study, reasons for considering the study important, statement of the problem, the scope and limitations of the study. Chapter 2 shall deal with the Vambunza: their cultural, social and political life. Chapter 3 will be on the impact of Christianity among the Vambunza: both positive and negative ones. Chapter 4 is about the traditional and cultural concepts to be utilized in re-evangelization for a second phase of evangelization. Chapter 5 shall provide the conclusions and summary of the study.
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