ABSTRACT
African studies, like Asian, Latin American, Eurasian, and other area studies fields, are guided by established ideas or paradigms in their scholarship and applied practices. This book explores the distinctive perspective of Africanist scholars from the Anabaptist-Mennonite community regarding these paradigms. Many of these professional practitioners and institution leaders first experienced Africa through service with the Mennonite Central Committee. Reviewing the history of the African Studies Association and the changing nature of its membership, the introduction examines the evolution of paradigms about decolonization and development that have prevailed in African studies in the post-colonial era, beginning in the 1960s. It further sketches the history of pacifism and service program opportunities as alternatives to military service that drew Mennonite and Brethren young people first into short-term work and later into careers in Africa and other world regions. The final section previews the following chapters featuring individual lives, background and upbringing, the transformative early experience in Africa, and later professional and career contributions of the authors or subjects. These include contributions to comparative religion, church leadership, literature, music, political science, history, anthropology, economics and banking, health and healing, public health, extension education, and community development.
