The Baha'i faith in Africa [electronic resource] : establishing a new religious movement, 1952-1962 / by Anthony A. Lee.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lee, Anthony A., 1947-

Series:

Studies on religion in Africa ; 39.

Studies of religion in Africa ; v. 39

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bahai Faith--Africa--History.

Bahai Faith.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (292 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In 1952, there were probably fewer than 200 Baha'is in all of Africa. Today the Baha'i community claims one million followers on the continent. Yet, the Baha'i presence in Africa has been all but ignored in academic studies up to now. This is the first monograph that addresses the establishment of this New Religious Movement in Africa. Discovering an African presence at the genesis of the religion in Iran, this study seeks to explain why the movement found an appeal in colonial Africa during the 1950's and early 1960. It also explores how the Baha'i faith was influenced and Africanized by its new converts. Finally, the book seeks to make sense of the diverse and contradictory American, Iranian, British, and African elements that established a new religion in Africa.

Contents:

The Babi/Baha'i movement

The African presence at the genesis of the Babi/Baha'i religions

Opting for the apocalypse: the Baha'i response to the modern crisis in the Middle East and West Africa

Planting the Baha'i faith in West Africa: the first decade

The roots of Baha'i conversion in British Cameroons

British Cameroons: a movement develops

The Baha'i church of Calabar

In lieu of a conclusion.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-283-32700-7

9786613327000

90-04-22600-1

OCLC:

777548632