The European Cemetery, Calabar, Cross River State
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The European missionaries had a significant impact on the lives of the people they interacted with particularly in the African continent. During the course of their work, the missionaries were tasked with working alongside the locals to improve the quality of their lives. In addition to spreading their religion, Christian missionaries had a significant impact on the culture of the people throughout the continent.1 Therefore, they worked hand in hand with the local leaders to develop strategies that could have a positive effect on the quality of life for the people.
The European Cemetery in Calabar, Cross River State is a historic site that demonstrates how missionaries working in Africa contributed to religious and cultural change. Mary Slessor was one of the most influential missionaries in Nigeria and she was buried in the site, making it an essential part of the cultural transformation in the country. The Scottish missionary of the Presbyterian Church quickly adapted to life in Africa and had significant input on the cultural change in the region.
The European Cemetery is important to the people of Nigeria and the church in general since it commemorates the work of Mary Slessor in the country. Among other contributions, the missionary facilitated the end of the twin infanticide among the locals in Nigeria in the 20th century. A statue of the missionary in Cross River State shows her holding twin children as an indication of her role in ending the practice.2 The Ibibio people in Nigeria believed that when a woman gave birth to twins, one of the children belonged to the devil and was associated with evil. In remedy of the issue, the group killed both children since they were not sure which one was associated with evil. Mary Slessor is credited for her courage to rise against the practice and offer teachings contradictory to those of the local group. Having adapted to the practices in Nigeria, the missionary was able to reduce the rates of the killings and stop the practice while risking her life in the process.
A key significance of the site is that it was associated with a historical event that brought Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to Nigeria. The Royal family made a state visit to the site in 1956 to commemorate the missionary work of Mary Slessor. This visit demonstrates that Slessor’s work was significant to the Christian religion and to the people of Nigeria even after her death in 1915. Consequently, the historic site remains part of the religious and cultural heritage for the people of Nigeria.3 Over the years, the significance of the site has attracted tourists and this has made it an essential part of the country’s culture. The people of Nigeria and those in Slessor’s home country Scotland honor her work by visiting the site and recreating it through art. Mary Slessor played an essential role as a missionary working in Nigeria since she transformed the culture of the people by discouraging infanticide. The practice that was once closely related to the beliefs of the residents in Cross River State was abolished part due to her efforts.
The cemetery provides significant information about the history of the people of Nigeria, specifically those of Cross River State. During the pre-colonial period, cultural practices among African communities impacted on the organization of the communities. With no central government in the 19th century, a tribe in Cross River carried out a practice that led to the killing of twins as a result of their beliefs.4 The cemetery demonstrates the significance of the cultural transformation that ended the practice and how it was facilitated by Christianity. Mary Slessor’s work and courage eventually led to the end of a practice based on beliefs and practices among the people of Nigeria. This demonstrates the significance of the transformation and how it has remained as an essential part of Nigeria’s cultural development since the pre-colonial period.
