WINNING A PRIMITIVE PEOPLE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 98, 27 April 1935, Page 25

WINNING A PRIMITIVE PEOPLE

"I beg- to direct your attention to Africa. I know that'in a few years I shall be. cut off in that country, which is now open; do not let it be shut again! I go/back to Africa to try and make an open path for commerce and' Christianity;' do you carry out the work- which I have;begun. I leave it to you.": Nearly eighty years have passed since-these words were, spoken by that Greatheart; David Livingstone, to the students of Cambridge University, and, in the meantime, many things have happened" (writes;,the, Rev ;J Duncan McDiarmid in the "Sydney Morning Herald"). Fof good 'of ill, the vast majority of the African' people have been brought under the sway of the white man and his civilisation. Commerce has certainly continued to press along the .paths that were opened by the pioneers, biSt it is to be feared Christianity has lagged behind. ' Africa/among the countries of the world, is peculiarly the land of open doors, and this is especially true of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, a territory that Is associated in the minds of the older folks with the, names of General Gordon and Lqrd. Kitchener. Because of its strategic position, it was for years the scene of, much conflict and bloodshed. The native population, which had been sadly depleted during those times of slave-raiding and warfare, is now roughly estimated *at 5,000,000. These comprise many tribes, and innumerable languages and dialects. The Nubans, a hardy hill race, the Dinkas, the "stork-legged" people on the Nile, of whom the ancient historian Herodotus wrote, the Krongaus, and the Shilluks are but a few of the inhabit-, ants of this vast area. are, for the most part, a peaceful people, living amid very primitive conditions, and sadly under the dominion of the most squalid paganism. Ignorance of health laws and the lure of the witch doctor have been fruitful causes of tragic suffering among young and old. :'•■. The modern invasion of this "land of the black" (that is the full meaning of the name "Sudan"), which has taken place during the last few years with such bewildering rapidity, has left these benighted folks in a state of social and moral confusion, and many of their ancient tribal-customs have been rudely shaken. Modern science, with its radios, motor-cars, and aeroplanes, has penetrated this land, that until quite recently was unknown, and now a people, living under the Stone Age conditions, has been introduced, with startling swiftness,' to all the benefits of twentieth ■ Century civilisation,

But these things we have thrust upon them can be of little real benefit to them unfess they are- educated to use them.arid appreciate them. In early years the negro was. regarded as legitimate prey for. ; the selfish white man, who exploited? him for his ■ own profit; but now higher principles are at work in olir contacts with this child-race, and; the Sudan Government has instituted a fine humanitarian policy for the establishment of schools arid hospitals. The Government is fully aware of the valuable work that is being done by. missionary agencies, and for some years, now has worked in heartiest co-opera; tion with Christian doctors and educationists.' . ". •■■-.■'■ ' '. One factor that has seriously complicated the religious situation in tha Sudan is the subtle influence of Islam. It is impossible to estimate the rate of the advance of Mohammedanism in this region, but it is certainly very considerable. Government officials, who are at their wits' end to secure suitable teachers for village schools, are often tempted to install Moslems; who are nearly always available. If this latter policy were to prevail, it would mean that the native population would speedily become followers of the re- r ligion of Mohammed. There are some, even, in Christian lands, who are prepared to regard this happening with equanimity, arguing that Islam is a big advance on paganism. But those who have the clearest knowledge of all the facts are strenuously opposed to the idea of allowing the millions, of pagan folks to' come under the power of the -'Green menace," being convinced that no secondrate religion is good enough for the African. But our fears im this respect are likely to be realised if steps. are, hot quickly taken to accept the challenge of the Government, and man. every, village school with Christian teachers.. The Sudan ought to^e of special interest to the people of Australia and 1 New'fcealand, when we remember that a contingent of fighting men left these shores of ours to take a share in estab,-,j lishing law and order in that blooddrenched land. . ! In 1911 a much, smaller band of Australians and New ■ Zealanders left for the Sudan to-begin the work that has become widely known .as the Sudan United Mission. By peaceful penetration, by: medical services, by educational and evangelistic enterprise,, these "Anzacs" have •' faithfully sought to share with the needy Sudanese the finest thing in our civilisation—the redemptive message of Christianity.