The 'manyano' movement in South Africa: site of struggle, survival, and resistance

Abstract

abstract Indigenous African Christian women in South Africa responded to the missionary endeavour through subversive action! They formed their own movement known as the manyano (or prayer union) movement. For academic women engaged in theological discourse, it is imperative that the survival theologies of marginalised women be recognised. These, I argue, are most clearly expressed in the manyano groups that meet each Thursday across the country. The characteristics of these groups will be described and shown to be expressions of an indigenous women's Christianity. Manyano groups have generally been seen as conservative and apolitical in nature and thus are usually sidelined in feminist discourse. I will argue that while aspects of this perception might be true, this is not the whole story. The manyano movement is a site of struggle, survival, and resistance that needs to be recognised as an influential space for indigenous women.