Wkład naukowy misji salezjańskich

Abstract

The author presents the history of the scientific activities of Salesian missionaries. The first missionaries who went to South America limited their activity to changing the living conditions of the Indians. After some time they began to describe the customs and traditions (ethnography) of the natives. They also started meteorologic and linguistic studies. The scientific contribution of the Salesians in the missionary countries has manifested itself 1) directly, in the field of ethnography, linguistics, geography, natural science and history; 2) indirectly, through schools and education, mass media (special radio and publications); 3) finally, through the research centres and museums founded and run by the missionaries. The author presents individual Salesian scholars and quotes the titles of the works they have published.