Blood Ground: Colonialism, Missions, and the Contest for Christianity in the Cape Colony and Britain, 1799–1853

A.J. Pell is rector of Christ Church in Hope, B.C., editor of the
Canadian Evangelical Review, and an instructor of Liturgy, Anglican
Studies Programme at Regent College in Vancouver, B.C.

Set in South Africa, Blood Ground traces the complicated interaction
between the evangelical theology of the London Missionary Society,
advancing colonialism, and emerging British imperialism, and their
effects on the lives and aspirations of the Khoekhoe people during the
first half of the 19th century. The abolition of slavery, a product of
Christian idealism, occurred during this period. But after abolition,
pragmatism rather than faith came to the forefront of British policy.

Against this background Elbourne skilfully identifies how Christianity
came to the Khoekhoe and was used by them to attempt to navigate through
the changes in South Africa. She shows how different understandings of,
and language for, the Christian faith complicated the Khoekhoe’s
situation and was a factor that led to the Khoekhoe rebellion of
1850–53. The Khoekhoe had thought that their adoption of Christianity
would negate the politics and economics of South African society. When
this did not happen they were split, with some rebelling and some
recognizing the ultimate futility of such a course.

Elbourne goes beyond the surface issues to reveal all the interactions
and nuances of issues, ideologies, and faith. She also does an admirable
job of presenting material from the Khoekhoe’s perspective, not an
easy task when most written records are from Boer or British sources.
Her efforts will prove valuable for the new multiracial South Africa in
recovering its past in order to build its future.