The Impact of Traditional Health Practices, Revivalism, Patriarchy and Economic Factors on the History of the Baptist Convention’s Health Response in Post-Independence Malawi

Abstract

This article reports on a study that sought to investigate the impact of traditional health practices, revivalism, patriarchy and economic factors on the history of the Baptist Convention’s health responses during the past 50 years of its existence in the South East Region of Malawi. During this period, Christians in Malawi continued to rely on traditional health practices, faith healing and biomedical medicine. Traditional healing practices were part of their culture and promoted by the patriarchy as some pastors of the church were also chiefs. Access to biomedical approaches became a challenge because of economic factors. Faith healing practices took a different form under the influence of revivalist movements. There are several studies on healing practices based on mainline churches in Malawi, however, there is a lack of similar studies on the Baptist Convention. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of traditional health practices and economic factors on the history of the Baptist Convention’s health responses in the South East Region of Malawi in the Post-Independence Era (post 1966). Based on qualitative ethnographic research, especially of participant observation since 2000, the study found that the Baptist Convention’s health responses were always wholistic and influenced by the Baptist distinctive of individual conscience, patriarchy, economic factors and church polity. The Baptist distinctive is the total of several precious beliefs and practices based on the Bible.