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