Editing Christianization (section)

===Tanzania===
In Tanzania, a child is not a full member of society until they reach adulthood. Adulthood begins at puberty, but a man fully enters adult society by marrying, a woman by giving birth, and the transition from childhood to adulthood is marked by initiation rites.{{sfn|Bürki|1977|p=201}} For the Maasai, this includes circumcision of both boys and girls.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maasai Ceremonies and Rituals |url=https://maasai-association.org/ceremonies.html |website=Maasai Association |access-date=15 August 2023}}</ref>

Anne Marie Stoner-Eby writes, "The Christianization of initiation rites in the Anglican Diocese of Maasai in what is now southeastern Tanzania is arguably the most famous instance of 'adaptation' in African mission Christianity."{{sfn|Stoner-Eby|2008|p=171}} 
It has long been assumed that [[Vincent Lucas]], Bishop of Maasai (1926–1944), initiated the Christianizing of the initiation rites in an effort to adapt, and not destroy African cultural life, publishing what became a famous essay on 'The Christian Approach to Non-Christian Customs'.{{sfn|Stoner-Eby|2008|pp=171-173}}

Initiation was one of a chief's most important and prestigious responsibilities, but long before 'adaptation' became a missionary watchword, Maasai clergy had taken advantage of a crucial increase in their numbers to place ''jando la kikristo'' (Christian initiation) in place of ''unyago wa lupanda'' (Lupanda initiation in ancestor worship) by 1913.{{sfn|Stoner-Eby|2008|p=174}}