Bureaucrats, rtl-contributors, Administrators
1,619
edits
Zoekerism: Difference between revisions
history of zoekerism
No edit summary |
(history of zoekerism) |
||
Line 23:
== History ==
=== Abayomi van Tussenlandt, founder of Zoekerist thought ===
The establishment and regulation of slave manumission in Dutch Tussenland had paved the way for a unique identity and African heritage in the Southern regions of the Dutch Tussenland colony.
Zoekerist thought originated from the "father of Zoekerism," Abayomi van Tussenlandt (sometimes spelt as Abajomie). Abayomi was a former slave under the Royal Tussenland Company. He had escaped from the Royal Tussenland Company's plantations in 1816 at age 14 and was eventually met by the former slave turned baker, Karlÿn de Backer in Elegasthaven. De Backer, who had introduced Abayomi to Christianity, had housed temporarily housed him until he was found and recaptured by the authorities. Three years later, De Backer had purchased Abayomi's freedom. Since then, Abayomi has dedicated a considerable portion of his time to helping De Backer and studying the Christian faith.
In 1821, he started traveling around Tussenland, with his enlightened ideas gaining a following among the people of African heritage and the native people in Tussenland. In his philosophy, he emphasized what he called the "three pursuits": the pursuit of truth, freedom, and homeland.
In his later years, his teachings had more emphasis on religious themes. He had also incorporated many elements from the traditional Fon religion and Christianity. He also adopted some concepts brought about by other people that supported his philosophy. A central theme in his Zoekerist philosophy is universal emancipation and equality.
=== Role in South Tussenland's Independence Movement ===
Tensions between the slaves and the Dutch ruling minority was at an high in the 1840s, and caused a slave-led independence movement in 1849. Zoekerist philosophy was part of the revolt's core, invoking the concept of the pursuit of homeland. Spain, through the viceroyalty of New Spain, supported the insurrection to undermine the Dutch. However, in 1843, in the midst of the simultaneous South Tussenland independence war and the 2nd Dutch-Spanish War, Abayomi van Tussenland was seized by the Dutch authorities and had died in captivity. This emboldened the South Tussenlanders to fight harder against the Dutch. Abayomi's death in 1843 is central to Zoekerist theology, as it the Zoekerists believed that he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ who similarly had gave his life up and ascended to heaven. Traditional scholars heavily intertwine the topic of Zoekerism with the South Tussenland independence movement; however, more contemporary scholars such as A.L. Kneynsbergh attempt to view the South Tussenland independence in a secular viewpoint.
=== Foundation of the Church of the Second Ascension (Zoekerist Church) ===
Prior to 1856, there was no institution governing Zoekerism, as it was not an established religion yet. After South Tussenland's independence in 1855, revolutionary leader and new head-of-state, Tegbesoe (originally named Jan de Bodtsappe) claimed that Abayomi van Tussenland had entrusted him with spreading his teachings. In 1856, Tegbesoe established the Church of the Second Ascension, and proclaimed himself as its leader. Leadership of the church was tied to the head-of-state, and maintained that way until the republican revolution struck South Tussenland in the 20th century. Today, the Zoekerist Church has the largest following in South Tussenland, and has a significant following in Florida and Virginia.
| |||