Miss Jairus Speaks: Developments in African Feminist Theology

Abstract

their voices heard. This article wants to entice the reader to widen his or her perspective of African theology by introducing some themes and persons in African feminist theology. The article will start with a historical background of African feminist theology, its aims and methods. Then it will discuss two of the key themes of African feminist theology and point to the gradual diversification of insights that is taking place. The article will end with some concluding remarks.

Introduction : West African Women Doing Theology that Liberates from Oppression

“…African women who were in religion and theology decided to embark on a journey of academic research and publication as a means to voice their quest for liberation from the society and religious settings which in fact encompassed all facets of womanhood as religion and culture are enshrined in the African livelihood. Martha Frederiks (2003) identified the focus of the Circle in the 1980's on religion and culture at the time when inculturation theology was becoming popular. Although these women affirmed the need for contextualization, it was also evident that culture was gender biased hence the need for a feminist discourse even within contextualization and inculturation.…”

SANKOFA : Liberation Theologies of West African Women (Circle Jubilee Volume 1)

“…African women who were in religion and theology decided to embark on a journey of academic research and publication as a means to voice their quest for liberation from the society and religious settings which in fact encompassed all facets of womanhood as religion and culture are enshrined in the African livelihood. Martha Frederiks (2003) identified the focus of the Circle in the 1980's on religion and culture at the time when inculturation theology was becoming popular. Although these women affirmed the need for contextualization, it was also evident that culture was gender biased hence the need for a feminist discourse even within contextualization and inculturation.…”

Jairus, His Daughter and the Haemorrhaging Woman (Mk 5.21-43; Mt. 9.18-26; Lk. 8.40-56): Research Survey of a Gospel Story about People in Distress

“…Further socio-critical (feminist and/or intercultural) interpretations of the episode can be found in Minor 1992; Dewey 1994: 122-31; Kinukawa 1994; Sibeko and Haddad 1997; Wainwright 2000, 2001; Dube 2001, and Frederiks 2003.…”