The ambiguities of missionary collecting

Originally, the missionary movement aimed to spread the Christian faith and eradicate what it considered to be “superstitions.” When the “idols” of the beliefs they were fighting against were not destroyed at the same time, they were sent to Europe to illustrate the “error” that had been overcome. Examples were given to show that the converted peoples had mended their ways. These edifying exhibitions were designed to encourage the faithful to donate money to missionary works.