"He made only a few converts and failed to found a church."
– Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions1
Considering Johann Ludwig Krapf spent the best part of his life on the mission field in Ethiopia and Kenya this conclusion may seem somewhat uninspiring.
Yet on the news of his death in 1881 some compared him to David Livingstone. At least The Gleaner did – a missionary journal published by CMS that in those days shifted 70,000 copies a month.
An unsung hero?
Does Krapf qualify for ‘unsung hero’ status? Among historians he is well known, but accounts of his life all too often diminish his work as a missionary.
Google Johann Krapf today and you’ll discover a trepid explorer and a talented linguist. However, there is little recognition of the fact that his achievements in these areas descend directly from his deep commitment to the service of missions.
But how did a German boy who grew up on a farm come to be working for CMS in Africa – and what made him tick?
Krapf timeline
1810
Born in Wuerttemburg, Germany
1833
British government passes the Slavery Abolition Act
1836
Travels to Ethiopia with CMS
1846
Joins forces with Johannes Rebmann
1849
First European to see Mount Kenya
1853
Returns to Germany suffering from poor health
1855
David Livingstone ‘discovers’ the Victoria Falls
1870s
Zulu Wars
1881
Dies in Germany
Born as he was into a humble farming family in Wuerttemburg, Germany in 1810, it is surprising that Krapf attended grammar school let alone missionary college.
His opportunity to gain a good education came about only because of a chance encounter between his sister and the widow of a former vicar who offered to send him to school – Krapf regarded this as a clear indication of “the providential guidance of God” over his life.
He excelled in the study of languages and soon shot to the top of his class. Inspired by his geography studies he dreamt of becoming a great explorer and traveller:
“I expressed the ardent desire to become the captain of a ship, and to visit foreign lands” he wrote.
2
Krapf eventually decided to pursue missionary college and having been turned down once because he was too young, he enrolled at Basel Missionary College in 1827. It was here that he became truly convinced of his call to mission and through a close friend was put in touch with the Church Missionary Society, with whom he was posted to Ethiopia.
Struggles to understand
Krapf’s mission strategy for Africa placed great significance on the Oromo (or Galla) people of Ethiopia – a people he saw as “most intellectual” and the key to the evangelisation of Africa.
3
He spent much time reading scriptures and teaching those he came across, but struggled to understand the Ethiopian emphasis on ethnic identity and communal values as opposed to personal belief or individual conversion. Even after he had been forced out of Ethiopia, Krapf continued to attempt to reach the Oromo via Mombassa.
His mission work was fraught with trials and tribulations, none more so than the death of his first wife and son in Mombassa. Krapf’s account of this event is deeply moving. His sorrow mingles with praise and he speaks of his desire that he should be perfected as a missionary. His faith never faltered and his opinion that nothing was too costly to be spent in God’s service remained ingrained on his heart for the rest of his life. He wrote to CMS saying:
“Tell our friends that there is on the East African coast a lonely grave of a member of the mission cause connected with your society. This is a sign that you have commenced the struggle with this part of the world.”
4
Snows of Kilimanjaro
But what of Krapf the explorer – a man who was placed by his contemporaries on a pedestal alongside Livingstone?
Krapf was an explorer by accident. His discoveries came about as a result of his zeal for mission and in particular his efforts to reach the Oromo people again from Kenya.
His travels in East Africa meant that he and his companion Johannes Rebmann were the first Europeans to set eyes upon the snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya in the mid-19th century.
Their discoveries were so novel that European scholars scoffed at the reports that snow had been cited so close to the equator.
5
Krapf’s extraordinary linguistic talents also contributed greatly to European understanding of African tribal culture.
6
His phenomenal linguistic range included Massai, several Bantu languages, a Cushitic language and two of the Semitic languages of Ethiopia. He made numerous biblical translations. Even upon his return to Germany he continued to translate scripture and advise others on mission in Africa.
A true pioneer
Krapf will never be remembered for instigating mass conversions or large church building projects. However, he must be considered a ‘pioneer’ missionary in the true sense of the word.
His ability to stand alongside the Africans and recognize the importance of their own languages, traditions and customs provided an example to all who followed in his slipstream. His dedication to the African mission is reflected by the fact that he is today recognized by the Anglican Church of the Province of Kenya as its founder.
Notes
1
GH Anderson, ed., Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions (New York, 1998), p375
2
The Gleaner, Volume IX (London, 1882), p20
3
Krapf to H Knolleke, March 1860, BSA, Cambridge Univ. Library.
4
CMS Penny Pamphlet (London, Henderson & Spalding), p10
5
L Pirouet, ‘The Legacy of Johann Ludwig Krapf,’ International Bulletin of Missionary Research (April 1999), p71
6
Anderson, ed., Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions, p375
Further Reading
Krapf, JL, Travels, Researches, and Missionary Labours During an Eighteen Years’ Residence in Eastern Africa (London, 1860).
Kretzmann, PE, John Ludwig Krapf: The Explorer-Missionary of Northeastern Africa (Columbus, 1909).
Pirouet, L, ‘The Legacy of Johann Ludwig Krapf,’ in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research (April 1999).