This image has been reproduced from an 1885 publication of the Scottish Geographical Magazine that illustrates the "British Possessions" of South Africa. Writing about his "missionary labours" in Southern Africa a little over forty years before, R. Moffatt describes the clothes-making lessons his wife gave to the indigenous Africans. He established the Kuruman Mission at Maruping (later moved to Seodin) in what would now be considered Botswana (in the area of the map labeled "British Protectorate"). Moffatt unabashedly connects these clothes-making lessons to the creation of new consumers for British textiles:
"It was somewhat entertaining to witness the various applications made to Mrs Moffatt, who was the only European female on the station, for assistance in the fabrication of dress, nor were these confined to female applicants. As it was seen that these matters were left to her, they thought that she must needs be mistress of all civilized life, and consequently capable of instructing men as well as women. One would bring prepared skins to get them cut into dresses, another wanted a jacket, and a third would be desirous of a pattern, while another would bring his garment sewed upside down, and ask why it would not fit. These efforts, however trifling they may appear, were the precursors of a mighty change, and the elements of a system which was destined to sweep away the filth and customs of former generations, and to open up numberless channels for British commerce, which but for the Gospel might have remained for ever closed." (emphasis added)
From: Moffatt, R. Missionary Labours and Scenes in South Africa. 1842. Pg. 335.
Leave it to the christians to clothe the naked heathens everywhere they go... That was also one of the first things that missionaries did in New Guinea - there are lots of old pictures of missionary families standing in the middle of a tribe clothed in identical white shirts and black slacks/skirts. Hooray for erasing indigenous cultures...
Posted by: Mark | February 11, 2008 at 04:15 PM
There was a really interesting passage before the one I quoted Mark where Moffatt debates on the perennial missionary question - which should come first - civilizing or evangelizing groups that he refers to as "savages." His position is that if one evangelizes first, then the civilizing is sure to soon follow.
Posted by: mar | February 11, 2008 at 04:57 PM