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
Abstract2
List of Abbreviations3
Glossary4
Concepts5
A. Problem to be solved7
B. Objectives of the Research7
C. Organization of the Project7
INTRODUCTION8
BACKGROUND OF RELIGION IN ZIMBABWE9
Religion Defined10
African Religion and Culture11
The Pre-Colonial Phase12
The Shona Traditional Religious Beliefs12
The Colonial Era13
Post-Colonial Phase14
African Independent Churches14
ATR PRACTICES FOUND IN APOSTOLIC AND ZIONIST CHURCHES15
Common Practices15
Belief in Ancestral Spirits and Fear of the Spirits15
Polygamy and Inheriting Wives17
Divination18
Use of Shrines, Clay Pots, Tobacco Stuff, and Finger Millet Grains19
Dreams21
Witchcraft and Sorcery21
CONCLUSION22
References23
