DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70004#0098
96
IV. The Influence of the Missions on Settlement Structure
From a traditional geographical viewpoint the creation of the mission sta-
tions themselves is probably the most significant consequence of missionary
activity in Africa. In many countries the settlements founded by missionar-
ies introduced new and important elements into the settlement system. Some
have become important towns, other smaller service centres. KADE (1969)
points out that in Buganda, apart from the traditional administrative centres
(“Chief’s seats”) and the trading centres mainly of Indian foundation, the mis-
sion stations have determined the present-day system of non-rural settlement.
HENKEL (1979, 85 - 87) makes similar observations concerning western Kenya.
To investigate the influence of missions on the Zambian settlement structure,
it is necessary first to examine the criteria the founders used in locating the
mission stations. Thereafter, the concept of “spheres of influence” and the
relationship between missions will be considered. Then the spatial aspects of
the relationships between the (colonial) administration and the missions will
be explained, concluding with an examination of the present role of mission
stations as service centres.
1. Locational Factors Considered in the Founding of Mission
Stations
Following the overview of the establishment of mission stations in Zambia given
in Chapter II, and the consideration of various definitions of the term “mis-
sion station”, attention must now be given to the spatial aspects of mission
station location. When missionaries arrived to start work in a new area and
the place for a mission station was being considered, the factors taken into
consideration were similar to those for other settlements. A good water sup-
ply was needed, which in the early days mainly meant location near to a river.
However, location near to wet or swampy areas was avoided due to the threat
posed by illnesses associated with these areas, such as malaria. Thus in many
cases mission stations were built in mountains, or on hills, whose names they
took (e.g. Kalene Hill1, Kaba Hill, Mukinge Hill, Liumba Hill, Fiwale Hill).
It might be suggested that such locations were inspired by the bible verse
in which Christians are compared to a town on a hill whose light shines far
(Matthew 5, v.14), yet this cannot be proved from archival studies. It would
accord with the attitudes of missionaries who saw themselves as ambassadors
of the Gospel, bringing light into the darkness of African heathenism. Good
agricultural land was also needed, to supply the wants of the station and to
provide for a school farm, such as was established by most mission stations. It
was also important for early mission stations to be accessible to major lines of
communication. Examples of this are the grouping of stations on the Tonga
IV. The Influence of the Missions on Settlement Structure
From a traditional geographical viewpoint the creation of the mission sta-
tions themselves is probably the most significant consequence of missionary
activity in Africa. In many countries the settlements founded by missionar-
ies introduced new and important elements into the settlement system. Some
have become important towns, other smaller service centres. KADE (1969)
points out that in Buganda, apart from the traditional administrative centres
(“Chief’s seats”) and the trading centres mainly of Indian foundation, the mis-
sion stations have determined the present-day system of non-rural settlement.
HENKEL (1979, 85 - 87) makes similar observations concerning western Kenya.
To investigate the influence of missions on the Zambian settlement structure,
it is necessary first to examine the criteria the founders used in locating the
mission stations. Thereafter, the concept of “spheres of influence” and the
relationship between missions will be considered. Then the spatial aspects of
the relationships between the (colonial) administration and the missions will
be explained, concluding with an examination of the present role of mission
stations as service centres.
1. Locational Factors Considered in the Founding of Mission
Stations
Following the overview of the establishment of mission stations in Zambia given
in Chapter II, and the consideration of various definitions of the term “mis-
sion station”, attention must now be given to the spatial aspects of mission
station location. When missionaries arrived to start work in a new area and
the place for a mission station was being considered, the factors taken into
consideration were similar to those for other settlements. A good water sup-
ply was needed, which in the early days mainly meant location near to a river.
However, location near to wet or swampy areas was avoided due to the threat
posed by illnesses associated with these areas, such as malaria. Thus in many
cases mission stations were built in mountains, or on hills, whose names they
took (e.g. Kalene Hill1, Kaba Hill, Mukinge Hill, Liumba Hill, Fiwale Hill).
It might be suggested that such locations were inspired by the bible verse
in which Christians are compared to a town on a hill whose light shines far
(Matthew 5, v.14), yet this cannot be proved from archival studies. It would
accord with the attitudes of missionaries who saw themselves as ambassadors
of the Gospel, bringing light into the darkness of African heathenism. Good
agricultural land was also needed, to supply the wants of the station and to
provide for a school farm, such as was established by most mission stations. It
was also important for early mission stations to be accessible to major lines of
communication. Examples of this are the grouping of stations on the Tonga