Conflicts Between the Lumpa Church and Established Religious and Political Order in Northern Rhodesia
The Lumpa Church, founded by Alice Lenshina in the 1950s, within the context of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), represented a significant socio-religious movement that ultimately led to severe conflicts with both the established religious institutions and the political powers of the time. Several factors contributed to these conflicts, which were primarily rooted in theological, social, political, and economic grievances.
1. Theological Divergence
One of the primary reasons for the conflict between the Lumpa Church and established religious entities, such as the Anglican and Catholic Churches, was theological divergence. Alice Lenshina’s teachings emphasized direct revelation and personal experience over traditional ecclesiastical authority, challenging the structured hierarchy and doctrines of established churches. According to Jonathon M. P. Phiri, the Lumpa Church’s belief in divine revelation was a direct affront to the ‘colonial’ church structures (Phiri, 1998). The emphasis on indigenous Christianity attracted many followers who felt marginalized by the colonial religious practices, fostering an environment ripe for religious strife.
2. Political Tensions and Nationalism
The rise of the Lumpa Church coincided with a period of growing nationalism in Northern Rhodesia. Many Lumpa adherents viewed Alice Lenshina as a prophetic figure conveying a message that resonated with the desire for independence from colonial rule. This political dimension heightened tensions with colonial authorities and partisan politics. As noted by W.R. Weller, the colonial powers perceived the Lumpa Church as a potential incitement to rebellion against the established political order (Weller, 1977). The church's message, intertwining faith with the aspiration for political freedom, alarmed both British colonial officials and local political leaders who sought to suppress dissent.
3. Socioeconomic Discontent
The Lumpa Church also emerged from a backdrop of socioeconomic grievances. Many of its followers were part of the peasant class, struggling against exploitative labor practices and economic deprivation enforced by colonial governance (S. B. Eiselen, 1970). The church proposed an alternative vision of community and support that contested the prevailing inequities, which threatened the economic interests of both the colonial government and local elites. The emergence of a religious movement that promised socio-economic upliftment provoked serious concerns among those in power, wary of the potential for mass mobilization.
4. Resistance to Colonial Authority
The conflict escalated when the Lumpa Church openly resisted colonial authority, which culminated in a series of violent confrontations. The 1964 events in Northern Rhodesia saw church members rise up against police and military forces, who were seen as instruments of colonial oppression. The church’s refusal to comply with government mandates, especially concerning land and governance issues, was viewed as subversive. As Angela Wanza argues, the colonial government interpreted the Lumpa Church’s activities as insubordination that needed to be quelled to maintain order (Wanza, 2013). Such resistance played into the hands of colonial narratives justifying repressive measures against the Lumpa followers.
5. Community Cohesion and Identity Politics
Finally, the Lumpa Church fostered a sense of community cohesion that was at odds with the established social order. This new identity amongst the Lumpa Church members strengthened social bonds and fostered a collective resistance to external authority. By promoting solidarity against both colonial and local customs that they viewed as oppressive, the church effectively destabilized existing social hierarchies and challenged the traditional leadership structures. The state’s denouncement of the Lumpa Church, branding it as a cult, further polarized the situation and drove adherents closer to one another, amplifying the conflict (M. S. H. Khosa, 2005).
Conclusion
The severe conflicts between the Lumpa Church and the established religious and political order in Northern Rhodesia were multifaceted, rooted in theological divergence, political nationalism, socioeconomic disparities, resistance to colonial authority, and the pursuit of community identity. These elements intertwined to create a potent force that challenged the status quo, warranting severe backlash from both colonial rulers and established churches. Understanding these complexities is essential for grasping the broader historical context of religious movements in Africa during the colonial period and their ongoing ramifications.
References
- Eiselen, S. B. (1970). Religion in Africa: A Historical Perspective. New York: Schocken Books.
- Khosa, M. S. H. (2005). Political Dynamics in Zambia: The Role of the Lumpa Church. Lusaka: UNZA Press.
- Phiri, J. M. P. (1998). The Making of a Prophet: Alice Lenshina and the Lumpa Church. African Sociological Review.
- Wanza, A. (2013). Colonialism and the Church: The Case of the Lumpa Church in Northern Rhodesia. Journal of Religion in Africa, 43(1), 64-82.
- Weller, W. R. (1977). Zambia: The Road to Independence. London: C. Hurst & Co.