Date of Award

Spring 1983

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Geography and Anthropology

First Advisor

Miles Richardson

Abstract

The San Blas Kuna Indians have successfully adapted throughout four and a half centuries of contact with outside influences. Since the early 1900's they have experienced intensive missionary activity from several Christian denominations. The missions have played a significant role in the ongoing process of cultural change among the Kuna. Aside from religion, the missionaries have influenced various other spheres of Kuna life, particularly education, health care, and both internal and Kuna/Panama politics.

Although not all Kuna participate actively with the missions, knowledge about the beliefs of Christianity is widespread and the presence of the missionaries has become institutionalized into Kuna culture. The success of the missionaries is due to a certain strategic approach in which_ the precepts of Christianity are delivered within a Kuna cultural context. The Kuna perceive many similarities and parallels between their traditional religion and Christianity; and the acceptance of or conversion to the new religion does not imply abandoning the beliefs and practices of the Kuna religion. Instead, the Kuna affirm that their God and the Christian God are one and the same, and all religions that worship him are good and not contradictory. Thus, the Christian worldview is adopted as an expansion of the Kuna worldview.

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