Zion Christian Church

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Pins of the two congregations of the Zion Christian Church

The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) ( meaning in German: Christian Zionskirche ) is the largest and largest African church in the Republic of South Africa . The name Zion describes on the one hand a Pentecostal - charismatic , evangelical and episcopal orientation and on the other hand recurs on the biblically mentioned Mount Zion in Israel.

The headquarters of the Church is in Moria ( Limpopo Province ). It is divided into two communities run by Barnabas Lekganyane and Saint Engenas Lekganyane , the grandsons of the original founder.

history

Foundation and beginnings

Zion Christian Church was founded in 1924 by farm worker Joseph Engenas Matlhakane Lekganyane , a former supporter of the Free Church of Scotland , Apostolic Faith Mission, and Zion Apostolic Church . Members of the ZCC attribute the foundation to a personal revelation that Lekganyane is said to have received from God in 1910. The church originated in his hometown Thabakgone, near Polokwane in South Africa's Limpopo province. By 1942, when the Church was registered and recognized, congregations had already developed in Botswana and Zimbabwe . The early Church was strongly shaped by the teachings of the Christian Catholic Apostolic Church of John Alexander Dowie , which was founded in the United States in Zion, Illinois and whose teachings came to Johannesburg in 1908 with Pentecostal missionary John G. Lake . This "Zion" church gained influence in South Africa when Daniel Bryant baptized several residents in 1904. The ZCC quickly gained in importance as a counterweight to the mission churches. In this church, the traditional African faith was combined with strict Christian teaching, which explains the rapid spread among the black residents.

After Engenas Lekganyane's death in 1948, his sons Joseph and Edward fought for successors as church leaders. While Joseph was the Engenas determined heir as church leader, his leadership was challenged by his older brother Edward and some church members. In the eyes of the elder son, according to traditional custom, the legitimate heir, because among the Bapedi the eldest son was always the successor of the father.

The Edward faction is said to have burned down huts of Joseph's followers in order to intimidate them in this way. When every hut was ablaze, the fans of Edward danced and sang a song with the content: u yasha umkhukhu (German: "a hut is on fire"). This song, which was sung in isiZulu, was started by Edward-minded guest workers, which later became known as Reef (German: "Riff"). The dance pattern they created became known within the Edward faction and has been preserved to this day. Mokhukhu were the name given to the huts that the Edward camp founded after the conflict. In the Sepedi language, the word mokhukhu means a "hut" or a "shanty". There are many such huts at the ZCC headquarters in Zion City Moira, 40 kilometers east of Polokwane (Pietersburg) in Limpopo Province (formerly Northern Province). Today, however, the name applies to the dance pattern and the performers. Mokhukhu is only danced by the male church members, who jump and stomp hard on the ground in order to kick the evil one down. The dance is accompanied by singing and can last for several hours - sometimes all night.

As a result of the dispute, Edward's faction was called "Zion Christian Church", and by keeping the original name of the church by Engenas, Edward is said to be the legitimate successor of his father. The current Zion Christian Church is headed by Edward Lekganyane's son Barnabas Lekganyane.

Joseph's camp put the name “St. Engenas Zion Christian Church ”for their grouping and they insisted on their“ justified connection ”with the founder. Thus Mokhukhu used only in "Edwards Zion Christian Church", probably for the leadership of Joseph moiety to the unhappy memories (lost their huts went) to remember. Mokhukhu has a central place in the community and some members of the church attribute it to the expression motheo wa Kereke (German: "The foundation of the church"). The Zion Christian Church uses the symbol of the star and the St. Engenas Zion Christian Church uses the symbol of the dove for identification. These badges are also worn by many members in everyday life.

Developments until today

The Zion Christian Church is the largest of the African churches in South Africa and represented across the country. It belongs to the so-called "independent churches in South Africa" ​​(African Initiated or Independent Churches, AICs for short), which are not led by whites.

According to Lukhaimane, the ZCC arose out of personal differences between Engenas Lekganyane and the elders of the Zion Apostolic Church and the Zion Apostolic Faith Mission - churches of which Lekganyane was once a member. That is why a black-to-black structure developed in the ZCC . Typical of the Zion Christian Church within the separatist or independent movement is the frequent emphasis on the maintenance of certain African customs and norms.

The basic characteristic of the ZCC as a Zionist organization is "healing through God and faith, purification rites, dancing during the ceremony, night gatherings, river baptisms, reference to the Holy Spirit and prophecies". Several institutions have been set up within the community to offer prayer and discussion meetings. The main celebration of the church is the annual Easter, which regularly attracts over a million members.

The most important are

  • Mokhukhu ,
  • the women's and men's choir,
  • the brass band and
  • Nkedi.

Mokhukhu (German: "Dance of the Huts") is seen by the members as the most important celebration of all.

Characteristics and Beliefs

Characteristics

  • The bishop is the religious and administrative church leader and the (only) mediator between God and the community. Like Jesus Christ, he should be able to perform supernatural deeds, for example miraculous healings.
  • The believers in the congregation are divided into different groups according to age, gender or occasion, which are shown, among other things, in their different uniforms and seating arrangements in the church services (e.g. unmarried women sit together).
  • The Baruti are the elders of the church and they too are said to be able to perform miraculous healings with the power of the Holy Spirit.
  • Miraculous healings are achieved by the laying on of hands, holy water is used, blessed tea and coffee are drunk and blessed "streaks" and clothes are worn.
  • Prophecy plays a huge role in the ZCC. During the services, selected members are prophesied by prophets from the congregation.
  • The consumption of pork and alcohol is prohibited for members of the ZCC.
  • The rites and customs are based on Christian tradition and African tradition. Despite the deliberate demarcation from everything "white and western", the return to one's own traditions is combined with the influences of the old colonial power, such as uniforms or brass bands, and formed into a unity.

Faith

In general, Zion Christian Church members believe

  • One can contact the one and only God through prayer.
  • Purification from sins occurs through prayer and penance.
  • The bishop of the church (the head) preaches peace, respect and humility towards Jesus Christ, whereby these terms are deliberately set apart from the initial conflicts and attacks.
  • The possession of the Spirit is the work of the Holy Spirit alone.

Dissemination of the ZCC

The ZCC has members in South Africa , Botswana , Malawi , Namibia and Zimbabwe . Their estimated number of members varies greatly between 2 million and 16 million members, depending on the source. The last South African census from 2001, which recorded religious affiliation, speaks of 4.9 million members. The ZCC clearly shows itself to be the fastest growing African church in South Africa.

A ZCC expat church exists in Yorkshire, England . This parish is visited annually by Barnabas Llekganyane himself. According to information from headquarters, the parish in Rotherham has over 100 members. According to external sources, these members are immigrants from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Malawi. The evidence also names new members from West Africa.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ South African government guide
  2. ↑ a b Richard Klug: Stomps evil into the ground. Black Faith in South Africa . TV film, 3sat , March 13, 2012. Thousands of supporters of the South African “Zion Christian Church” (ZCC) jump into the air, only to land as powerfully as possible on the ground. With their "Mokhukhu" they literally want to bring evil into the ... (ARD / SWR)
  3. ^ Zion Christian Church (ZCC) . South African History Online.Retrieved November 28, 2018
  4. ^ Allan H. Anderson: The Lekganyanes and Prophecy in the Zion Christian Church. In: Journal of Religion in Africa. Volume 29, No. 3, 1999, pp. 285-312, doi: 10.2307 / 1581527
  5. ↑ Christof Hanekom: Krisis en Kultus. Geloofsopvattinge en seremonies binne 'n Swart Kerk. Academica, Kaapstad 1975, ISBN 0-949964-72-7 .
  6. ↑ 5 Things You Need To Know About The Mighty Zion Christian Church . In: HuffPost South Africa . September 18, 2017 ( huffingtonpost.co.za [accessed November 28, 2018]).
  7. ^ South Africa - Census, Standards & Statistics . doi: 10.1163 / 2213-2996_flg_com_322456