Introduction Religion, Colonization and Decolonization in Congo, 1885-1960Vincent Viaene, Bram Cleys and Jan De MaeyerIntroduction Religion, colonisation et décolonisation au Congo, 1885-1960Vincent Viaene, Bram Cleys et Jan De MaeyerRELIGIONS AND THE COLONIAL STATE / LES RELIGIONS ET L’ÉTAT COLONIALPremières évangélisations de l’Afrique centrale et éthique sociale, 1500-1900. Entre morale de conviction et morale de responsabilitéJean-Luc VellutInternationalism, Religion and the Congo QuestionAn introduction, 1875-1905 39Vincent ViaeneReligion and Politics in the ‘Congo’. Portugal and the European inter-imperial competition, c. 1865-1890Miguel Bandeira JerónimoLes droits des autochtones. Un enjeu dans les relations jésuites-État, fin XIXe-début XXe siècleAnne-Sophie GijsCatholic Missionaries and the Production of Kasai as a Colonial Landscape, 1890-1960Bram CleysINTERMEDIARIES / INTERMÉDIAIRES Musique et univers sonores dans le champ missionnaire des Grands Lacs. Perception, emprunts et transferts au Kivu, Rwanda et Burundi, 1908-1940Anne CornetHome is where the Heart is? Debates between missions and colonial administrators over accommodation for Congolese students at the École Unique des Assistants Médicaux Indigènes, Léopoldville, 1929-1946Marie BryceReligion et médecine au Congo Belge. Pratiques et savoirs des 1assistants médicaux «indigènes» issus de Kisantu (Fomulac) et de leurs patients, 1937-1961Emery M. KalemaVivre (à) la Mission. Mémoires individuelles, histoire collective Elisabeth Mudimbe-BoyiTHE CRISIS OF THE COLONIAL MISSIONS / LA CRISE DES MISSIONS COLONIALESTempels Revisited. The conversion of a missionary in the Belgian Congo, 1930s-1960sPiet ClementDevelopmental Colonialism and Kitawala Policy in 1950s Belgian CongoDominic PistorLes missions catholiques et les émeutes de Léopoldville, 4 janvier 1959Zana EtambalaLe mouvement muleliste comme théorie et pratique religieuses en diocèse d’Idiofa (Province du Kwilu, R.D.C.)Sindani E. KianguIndex Authors / Auteurs ColophonA comprehensive history of the interaction between religion and colonizationReligion in today's Democratic Republic of Congo has many faces: from the overflowing seminaries and Marian shrines of the Catholic Church to the Islamic brotherhoods, from the healers of Kimban-guism to the televangelism of the booming Pentecostalist churches in the great cities, from the Orthodox communities of Kasai to the 'invisible' Mai Mai warriors in the brousse of Kivu. During the colonial period religion was no less central to people's lives than it is today. More surprisingly, behind the seemingly smooth facade of missions linked closely to imperial power, faith and worship were already marked by diversity and dynamism, tying the Congo into broader African and global movements.The contributions in this book provide insight into the multifaceted history of the interaction between religion and colonization. The authors outline the institutional political framework, and focus on the challenge that old and new forms of slavery entailed for the missions. The atrocities committed at the time of the Congo Free State became an existential question for young Christian communities. In the Belgian Congo after 1908, more structural forms of colonial violence remained a key issue marking religious experiences. And yet, religion also acted as a bridge. The authors emphasize the role intermediaries such as catechists or medical assistants played in the African "appropriation" of Christianity. They examine the complex interaction with indigenous religious beliefs and practices, and zoom in on the part religions played in the independence movement, as well as on their reaction to independence itself. Coming at a moment when Belgium confronts its colonial past, this volume provides a timely reassessment of religion as a key factor.Religion in today’s Democratic Republic of Congo has many faces: from the overflowing seminaries and Marian shrines of the Catholic Church to the Islamic brotherhoods, from the healers of Kimban-guism to the televangelism of the booming Pentecostalist churches in the great cities, from the Orthodox communities of Kasai to the ‘invisible’ Mai Mai warriors in the brousse of Kivu. During the colonial period religion was no less central to people’s lives than it is today. More surprisingly, behind the seemingly smooth facade of missions linked closely to imperial power, faith and worship were already marked by diversity and dynamism, tying the Congo into broader African and global movements.The contributions in this book provide insight into the multifaceted history of the interaction between religion and colonization. The authors outline the institutional political framework, and focus on the challenge that old and new forms of slavery entailed for the missions. The atrocities committed at the time of the Congo Free State became an existential question for young Christian communities. In the Belgian Congo after 1908, more structural forms of colonial violence remained a key issue marking religious experiences. And yet, religion also acted as a bridge. The authors emphasize the role intermediaries such as catechists or medical assistants played in the African “appropriation” of Christianity. They examine the complex interaction with indigenous religious beliefs and practices, and zoom in on the part religions played in the independence movement, as well as on their reaction to independence itself. Coming at a moment when Belgium confronts its colonial past, this volume provides a timely reassessment of religion as a key factor.