“Fit to the form of Christian living”. Catholic mission and resistance in African lands

O cristianismo constitui uma das principais marcas da presenca europeia no espaco cultural da Africa Central. Desde o batismo do soberano de Mbanza Kongo, ocorrido em 1491, simbolos, rituais, praticas cerimoniais foram incorporadas em algumas sociedades, ao ponto de alguns autores falarem de um “cristianismo africano”. O presente texto debruca-se sobre tres guias para a acao missionaria elaborados por religiosos capuchinhos que passaram pela regiao entre o ultimo quartel do seculo XVII e meados do seculo XVIII. A sua analise permite reconstituir o programa de evangelizacao em terras africanas e o pensamento antropologico que lhe subjaz, mas, sobretudo, fazer luz sobre o dinamismo das sociedades africanas e os problemas e resistencias levantados a proposta catolica. Christianity is one of the hallmarks of European presence in the cultural space of Central Africa. Since the baptism of the ruler of Mbanza Kongo, in 1491, symbols, rituals, ceremonial practices were incorporated in some societies, to the point that some authors speak of an “African Christianity.” This paper focuses on three guides for missionary action prepared by Capuchins friars who have gone through the region between the last quarter of 17th century and the 18th mid-century. Its analysis allows us to reconstruct the evangelization program in African lands and the anthropological thought that underlies it, but above all to shed light on the dynamism of African societies and the problems and resistance raised to the Catholic proposal.