Abstract
Traditional religion is core to Zimbabwean people and, its impact has been felt by many Christian churches in Zimbabwe. Churches that are affected most are Apostolic and Zionist churches. These churches have promoted syncretism because they have mixed practices from African Traditional Religion (ATR) and Christianity in their worship and practices. While there have been attempts, especially by mainline churches, to extinguish traditional religion in the country, the efforts paid less because traditional practices are in the DNA of Zimbabwean people. This paper uncovers the practices found in Apostolic and Zionist churches that are strongly believed to have been borrowed from ATR. Most African Initiated Churches (AICs) have some elements of ATR within them. This work attempts to trace the history of ATR in Zimbabwe and expose those practices in AICs that are believed to have been copied from ATR.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract 2
List of Abbreviations 3
Glossary 4
Concepts 5
A. Problem to be solved 7
B. Objectives of the Research 7
C. Organization of the Project 7
INTRODUCTION 8
BACKGROUND OF RELIGION IN ZIMBABWE 9
Religion Defined 10
African Religion and Culture 11
The Pre-Colonial Phase 12
The Shona Traditional Religious Beliefs 12
The Colonial Era 13
Post-Colonial Phase 14
African Independent Churches 14
ATR PRACTICES FOUND IN APOSTOLIC AND ZIONIST CHURCHES 15
Common Practices 15
Belief in Ancestral Spirits and Fear of the Spirits 15
Polygamy and Inheriting Wives 17
Divination 18
Use of Shrines, Clay Pots, Tobacco Stuff, and Finger Millet Grains 19
Dreams 21
Witchcraft and Sorcery 21
CONCLUSION 22
References 23
