The most common religion of Zimbabwe is Christianity, with 87% of Zimbabweans being members of one Christian denomination or another, primarily Protestant. Denominations active in Zimbabwe include the Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Baptists, Lutherans, and Methodists. In recent years, several indigenous Christian denominations, as well as Charismatic Evangelical and Pentecostal churches have been organized.
Other religions include traditional African religions, practiced by about 4% of the population, as well as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism, having only a minor presence. The Constitution of Zimbabwe provides for freedom of religion, and this is generally true in practice.
Christianity was introduced to Zimbabwe by Portuguese Catholic missionaries, who made contact with the Shona people in the 1500s. However, a Jesuit missionary was murdered in 1561 and, although about a dozen Catholic churches were planted, there was no trace of Christianity by the mid-1600s.
In the late 1700s missionaries from the London Missionary Society came into the region. In charge of the LMS efforts, Robert Moffat befriended the king of the Ndebele tribe, and his son-in-law, David Livingstone, took part in several expeditions to Zimbabwe. Catholic missionaries reentered the region in the 1890s.
Although several Christian denominations are at work and active in Zimbabwe, there has been an increase in new African denominations, who derive their teachings from the Bible but attach great importance on prophecy, power, and fasting in the wilderness. Some of these new denominations claim to be Christian, but practice polygamy and have incorporated non-scriptural beliefs and practices.
Only about 4% of people in Zimbabwe declare traditional African religions, but many of those who claim Christianity incorporate practices that blend Christianity with various indigenous African rituals, songs, dance, and non-Christian iconography, and may also believe in animism and ancestor worship.
God is referred to as Mwari in Shona and as uMlimu in Ndebele, and people communicate with Him through their deceased ancestors. Both the Shona and Ndebele religions include spirit mediums who can speak to the dead. In Shona, there are also evil spirits (Ngizo) who witches can converse with.
Another indigenous religion in Zimbabwe is the Mwali religion. Followers of Mwali make annual pilgrimages to the Matobo Hills, where a delegation appeals to Mwari for rain. There is also the Unhu religion and the religion of the San.
Islam is a minor religion in Zimbabwe, accounting for fewer than 1% of the population, claimed mostly by immigrants from India and Pakistan, with a very small number of native Zimbabweans. Nevertheless, most of the larger towns in Zimbabwe have a mosque.
Several Bahá'í settled in what was then Southern Rhodesia in 1955, forming an assembly in Harare. Within a decade, there were nine assemblies and other smaller groups of Bahá'í. Today, there are forty-three assemblies, and Bahá'í centers in Bulawayo, Chinamora, Harare, Mubaira, and Murewa. Nevertheless, Bahá'í is a minor religion in Zimbabwe.
Hinduism was introduced to the region by indentured servants who were brought by British administrators during the colonial era. Upon completion of their indenture, many elected to remain and work for a salary. Today, Hindus are a tiny minority, largely concentrated in Harare.
There are also those who practice atheism, which has become more common with the introduction of the Internet. In Zimbabwe, as in most countries, the largest number of atheists are young people.
Recommended Resources
Catholic Archdiocese of Bulawayo
The Archdiocese is a Catholic administrative unit of Roman Rite in Zimbabwe. Established in 1994, the Archdiocese covers an area of about 70,000 square-kilometers, serving about 65,000 Catholics. Its history, parishes, centers, schools, and hospitals are highlighted, along with Catholic clergy, Catholic religious, and Catholic associations, movements, networks, and projects. A photo gallery is included.
http://www.bulawayoarchdiocese.org/
Compassionate Consultative Initiative Project
A cooperative program of the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe and the United Methodist Church in the United States, CCIP operates an educational program in Zimbabwe, a skills training program, a sunflower oil project providing incomes for local growers and factory workers, a sewing club, home canning project, community gardens, and a goat raising program to provide food and fertilizer for local farmers.
http://www.ccipzimbabwe.org/
Representing more than twenty churches and mission stations, and fifteen diocesan schools, hospital and clinics, the diocese is part of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa. A map shows the diocese area of coverage in southeastern Zimbabwe, and a list of churches is posted. Diocesan guilds, its mothers’ union, and other ministries are discussed, as well as its development projects, educational facilities and programs, lay training, and a calendar of events.
http://masvingo.anglican.org/
Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe
Formed by a group of Zimbabwean Evangelical Church leaders in 1962, the organization’s membership has grown to more than seven hundred denominations, church bodies, ministries, and para-church organizations, representing nearly five million members. Its organizational structure, commissions, members, and projects are posted to the site, along with a calendar of upcoming events and opportunities for ministry or employment.
http://www.efzimbabwe.org/
The Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe congregation grew out of a home Sunday School that began in 1971 and was initially called the Northern Suburbs Christian Fellowship. Although sponsored by the Salisbury Baptist Church, the church was interdenominational in nature. Its history, a statement of faith, and an overview of its programs and services are set forth, including schedules and a sermon archive.
http://www.northside.co.zw/
Scientology is a religious practice and body organized by L. Ron Hubbard, who published a set of ideas known as Dianetics. Its work in Zimbabwe is headquartered at its Mimosa House in Bulawayo. A map and directions are posted, along with an introduction to Scientology, and an overview of its applied scholastics program, Criminon, Narconan, Anti-Drug, and human rights programs, volunteer ministers, and publications.
http://www.scientology-bulawayo.org/
Team missionaries first arrived in Zimbabwe more than seventy years ago, when it was known as Southern Rhodesia. Although most of its people identified themselves as Christians, their hearts and minds were given over to traditional African religions and Western humanism. An overview of its work in Zimbabwe is set forth, including missionary stories and testimonials, initiatives, and contacts.
https://zimbabwe.team.org/
The not-for-profit Christian newspaper serves the Christian community in Zimbabwe and the diaspora. In an interdenominational manner, it serves as a platform for all Christian churches, posting Christian events and functions, as well as offering book reviews, business recommendations, entertainment features, and other topics, such as editorials, news, sports reporting, and classifieds.
http://www.zimchurchnews.com/
Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference
Created by Roman Decree in 1969, the ZCBC forms the coordinating body of bishops serving the Republic of Zimbabwe. The Roman Catholic dioceses under the jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe are highlighted, and the ZCBC administrative offices and associated organizations, hours, and contacts are included. News and announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.zcbc.co.zw/
Representing the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, the church body is headquartered in Harare, Zimbabwe. Bishops who served the region since 1884 on are named, including its current bishop, cabinet members and leadership personnel, districts, partnerships, and areas of focus, its programs for children, youth and young adults, area health coordinator, announcements, and contact data.
http://umczea.org/
