The official religion of Zambia is Christianity, according to its 1996 constitution. Most Zambians adhere to one form of Christianity or another, but traditional African religious practices are often mingled with Christianity in Zambia's syncretic churches.
Between 80% and 90% of Zambians identify as Christians, a little more than 10% adhere to various indigenous African religions, 1% to 2% as Bahá'í, and just over 1% as Muslim, with smaller numbers of Hindus. Although not a large part of the population as a whole, Zambia has the largest group of Jehovah's Witnesses in Africa, numbering about 250,000. There is also a small population of Ashkenazi Jews, some of whom have held political office in Zambia.
Christianity was introduced to Zambia by African explorers and Christian missionaries in the mid-1800s, the most famous of which was David Livingstone, who inspired anti-abolitionists and missionaries who came into the region. He died at Ilala, southeast of Lake Bangweulu, in what is now Zambia. His heart is buried under a tree in Zambia, now known as the Livingstone Memorial.
Today, several Christian denominations are active within Zambia. These include the Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Pentecostals, the New Apostolic Church, Lutherans, Seventh-day Adventists, Mormons, and other evangelical and independent denominations and fellowships. Although Christianity was introduced by European missionaries, today most missionary roles have been assumed by local African believers.
The Bahá'í' faith was introduced to Zambia in 1952 by Eric Manton, who came from Britain in 1952, and made his first convert in 1954. Currently, there are from 150,000 to 225,000 Bahá'í' in the country, making it the third largest religion in Zambia, after Christianity and indigenous African religions.
The traditional beliefs of the ethnic African people of Zambia are diverse. Generally, they believe in a supreme creator, and also hold a belief in spirits, ancestor worship, magic, and traditional medicine. Also common among traditional African religions is animism, which is a belief that certain places, creatures, objects, rivers, and the weather, are alive and animated, given to spiritual essence.
It is difficult to determine the popularity or extent of traditional African religions in Zambia, or elsewhere in Africa, because practitioners of traditional religion often identify as Christian, blending Christian and traditional religious practices and beliefs.
Islam was introduced in Zambia by Muslim slave merchants in the mid-1700s. Arab slave traders came into Zambia from their bases in Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique, and it is estimated that more than four million slaves were taken from Zambia and surrounding countries, and exported to India and Arabia through Swahili ports. During this time, several Muslims came into the region, establishing themselves and making converts along the railway tracks in central Zambia. Today, Islam accounts for less than one percent of the population of Zambia, the majority of them Sunni Muslims.
Several Jewish families came into the region when it was known as Northern Rhodesia, settling initially in Livingstone and Broken Hill, and becoming prominent in cattle production and copper mining. Others came before and after the Holocaust, at which time Zambia's Jewish population peaked at 1,200. By the mid-1950s, the largest concentration of Jews was in Lusaka, Zambia's Copperbelt center. Prior to Zambia's independence in 1968, Jews were prominent in Zambian politics. Many Jews immigrated to other countries during the 1960s and 1970s, and there are only about thirty-five Jews in Zambia today.
The number of Hindus in Zambia is uncertain, as their numbers are estimated between 5,000 and 25,000. The Hindu Association of Zambia has branches in all of the major towns in Zambia, and there are four Hindu temples in the country. There are approximately 12,000 Indians in Zambia, of British or Zambian citizenship, and Hinduism is strongest among their population. The Zambian government has been friendly towards the Indian community.
The government and people of Zambia are generally tolerant of religious beliefs.
Recommended Resources
Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia
The CCAP has its origins in the Livingstonia Mission of the Free Church of Scotland, which was formed in 1874, and carried out its missionary endeavors in Zambia and Malawi between 1881 and 1912. Formed in 1924, the CCA Synod of Zambia has its offices in Lusaka, Zambia. Featured is an organizational chart, administrative contacts and hours, member churches and schools, and church development organizations and projects.
http://www.ccapzambia.org/
A member of the World Council of Churches and the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa, the CCZ seeks to promote cooperation between the several Christian churches and organizations within the nation, bring them together for consultation and discussion. Its organizational structure, formation, and fundamental focus are presented, along with news and information about the work of the Church in Zambia, a calendar of events, and downloadable reports and documents.
http://ccz.org.zm/
Planted by the Lusaka Baptist Church in 1981, the congregation became an independent congregation in 1986, and serves the Kabwata area of Lusaka, Zambia. Affiliated with the Confessional Reformed Baptist Church, the church has adopted the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. Its history, location, officers, office hours, and contacts are posted, along with a schedule of services, calendar of events, and sermon archive.
http://www.kabwatabaptistchurch.com/
Affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Zambia, the church was formed as a result of home cell groups that were meeting in the Nyumba Yanga and Woodlands Extension areas as an outreach of Lusaka Baptist Church, the church became independent as it began taking a charismatic and Pentecostal outlook, later affiliating with the Pentecostal Assemblies of God. Its history, ministries, and schedules are posted to the site, along with directions, contacts, and a photo gallery.
http://hopezm.org/
The congregation first began in 1956, but its work diminished when one of its chief founders had to relocate to Ndola for work. After a year he returned, and the church grew, calling its first pastor in 1958. Located in Lusaka, directions, schedules, a calendar of events, and history of the church are published to the site, along with its educational programs, urban outreach projects, and contact data.
http://www.lusakabaptistchurch.org/
Headquartered in Lusaka, Zambia, the District covers the affairs of the New Apostolic Church in Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Its history, organizational structure, church activities, youth and child policies, and associated associations and fellowships are set forth. Other resources include a collection of African hymns, archived stories, announcements and contacts.
http://www.naczam.org.zm/
Pilgrim Wesleyan Church of Zambia
With its headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia, the evangelical denomination places an emphasis on the Armenian doctrine of salvation by grace and Christian holiness. A history of the denomination, which had its start in the missionary outreach of the Pilgrim Holiness Church in South Africa, is set forth, along with an overview of its beliefs and practices, local churches, and contacts.
http://www.pwchurchzambia.org/
The UCZ is the largest Christian church in Zambia, with coverage in all ten of the country's provinces. Formed in 1965, it is the result of a merger of the Church of Central Africa, the Union Church of Copperbelt, the Copperbelt Free Church Council, the Church of Barotseland, and the Methodist Church, and is affiliated with the United Church of Canada. Synod leadership and administrative contacts are posted along with its departments, presbyteries, and projects.
http://www.uczsynod.org/
United Pentecostal Church of Zambia
The UPC Zambia is a Oneness Pentecostal fellowship of churches, ministers, and members across Zambia, maintaining an affiliation with the United Pentecostal Church International. It governmental structure and general organization are discussed, and contacts within its headquarters in Chinika, Lusaka, Zambia are posted. Its history, beliefs, leadership, and member churches are featured.
http://www.upczambia.org/
Representing a non-denominational fellowship of Christian churches known as the Church of Christ, the ministry in Zambia is sponsored by the Sycamore View congregation in Memphis, Tennessee. A history of its work in Zambia, which Began in 1920, is featured, including recognition of some of those who brought it about. A guide to planning a trip to Zambia is posted, with an overview of its ministries, programs, and projects in Zambia, photos, video, and a newsletter.
http://www.zambiamissions.org/
