Garveyism and Christianity in Colonial Africa

Garveyism beyond the US must be described as a wide pluriform movement. The reception of Garvey’s ideals in Africa went in multiple directions, contingent on local audiences and local issues. Garveyism’s historical significance in Africa derived from the ideological tools it provided Africans for both their religious and political grievances against Western colonialism. It became mostly a local product. Although the UNIA was a secular organization, religious communities proved to be in Africa docking stations for Garvey agents. African churches offered at times and in many places the only organized forums where Garveyism could be discussed. In return, Garveyism contributed substantially to what can be called African “prophetic Christianity.”