The Awakening Coast: An Anthology of Moravian Writings from Mosquitia and Eastern Nicaragua, 1849-1899

22. Political Disturbances at Sandy Bay, 1892

22 Political Disturbances at Sandy Bay, 1892 Establishing the First Moravian Mission outside the Mosquito Reserve in Nicaragua , Periodical Accounts Relating to the Foreign Missions of the Church of the United Brethren 1, no. 12 (1892): 638–41. The editor of Periodical Accounts reveals a great deal about the changing political economy of Mosquitia two years before Nicaragua’s annexation of the region. Rapid economic changes associated with expanding resource economies were affecting all Mosquitia peoples, but especially those at particular hot spots like mines, ports, river docking points, or, in the case of the River Wawa upstream from Karata, a new sawmill (see fig. 22.1). New immigrants, ideas, and consumer goods and a sense of unease contributed to political uncertainty for both the Moravians and the Mosquitians. The editor describes the mission as going through rough times, as several missionaries died and their ship the Meta was destroyed in a hurricane of October 10–11, 1892. But self-defined positive changes were also occurring, as female teachers arrived from Jamaica to staff day schools and the Jamaican preacher Jacob Lewis was attracting Ulwa Mayangna to the mission at Sandy Bay Sirpi (Sharon) near the mouth of the Great River. But the article is most concerned with the opportunity of the mission to expand its work into Nicaragua. General Urtecho, the Nicaraguan commissioner to the Moskito Reserve, gave permission to the Moravians to commence their “most important and civilizing mission” at Sandy Bay, but there alone. The article, then, concerns the pros and cons of doing this, noting the political unrest among the Miskito and, in particular, their “excitement” at seeing a customhouse and military 258 | Political Disturbances at Sandy Bay post erected at Pahara. Violence ensues after Miskito diplomacy fails to deter Nicaraguan actions. Should the missionaries undertake a new mission to this yet “uncivilized” field? In consultation with Herrnhut, Germany, the answer is a resounding yes. Like no. 21, in which Heinrich Ziock reveals Miskito political unrest in northern Mosquitia, this article also departs from the predominant themes of sukiaism, heathen transgressions, and the mundane practices of evangelism. Resistant to Nicaraguan incursions, and especially a military and religious presence, the Sambo Miskito are herein shown to be organized agents of their own futures. Such portrayals are rare in published Moravian writings and are fairly muted in regional historiography as well. The Moskito Reserve is no longer a quiet and isolated little nook in which our missionaries exercise the chief influence. It is steadily playing a larger part in the commerce of the world. Its trade with the United States Fig. 22.1. “The Saw Mill on the Wa Wa River,” 1892. From Feldballe, Views from the Mosquito Reservation, n.p. Courtesy of the California Digital Archive. Political Disturbances at Sandy Bay | 259 of America in bananas, india-rubber, cocoanut [coconut], mahogany, &c., is developing rapidly. Thus the providential opportunities and responsibilities of our Church are increasing. During the past year much has transpired of a nature calculated to arouse sympathy and call forth intercessions. First came the sudden and unexpected death of the beloved, faithful and energetic superintendent, Br. August Erdman, and that of his not less beloved and faithful wife on the same day. Then followed the death of Sister Kuschnig, after she had been in the service of the mission only a little more than a year.1 Finally the missionship Meta was completely wrecked in a tornado [hurricane] whilst coasting northwards. This vessel was of high value for our mission on the Moskito Coast. It served as a means of intercourse and of transportation of persons and goods from station to station, in a manner for which no substitute can readily be found. In the face of all these painful experiences, we feel with the missionary band on the spot that the Hand, which chastens in love, has smitten us, and we humiliate ourselves before God. Nevertheless in other respects He has given us cause for rejoicing and thanksgiving in connection with this mission. The high-school, opened by our missionaries in Bluefields, has had a prosperous course thus far, and arouses greater hopes for the future. The female teachers from Jamaica who have recently been appointed to schools at Bethany, Karata and Twappi, are of great assistance to our missionaries at those stations in relieving them of educational work, and thus enabling them to attend to their more appropriate duties. At Quamwatla Brother...