Why do the Missionaries of Africa wear Rosaries on their neck?

The Missionaries of Africa are a Roman Catholic society of apostolic life of Pontifical right. They are abbreviated MAfr.

The society was founded in Algiers, Algeria in the year 1868 by then Archbishop of Algiers Charles – Martial Allemand – Lavigerie.

The society focuses on evangelism and education, mostly in Africa.

The African continent has a high level of Islamic worship which meant that the White Fathers would wear robes that resembled those of Algerian Arabs.

Algerian Arab robes were ones filled with colours and patterns which were known as kaftans, while the White Father missionaries were usually pure white and, in some cases, black.

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The design was also different as it resembled more of a cassock, the traditional clerical attire for in Catholicism.

However, the climate across Africa meant that wearing a cassock would not be suitable, so robes were designed with inspiration from a gandoura, which is a popular article of clothing in Africa made from cotton and light material, which suits the weather conditions.

To accompany this was a long white cloak known as a burnous.

The missionaries of Africa wear the Rosary around their neck to show that they were men of religion and prayer, and the rosary resembled the misbaha of the Marabouts.