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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Islamization of Africa: The Case of the Tumbuka of Zambia |
Author: | Mulla, Ayub Fakir |
Year: | 1988 |
Periodical: | Journal of the Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs |
Volume: | 9 |
Issue: | 1 |
Period: | January |
Pages: | 167-172 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Zambia |
Subjects: | Islam Tumbuka Religion and Witchcraft Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) proselytization |
External link: | https://doi.org/10.1080/02666958808716067 |
Abstract: | The Tumbuka of Lundazi District account for one-sixth of the Muslim population of Zambia, which is estimated at about 30,000. Considerable attention has been given to the reasons for the mass conversion of the Tumbuka. It has been suggested that the majority of converts were motivated by financial considerations. Others have surmised that the principles and doctrines of Islam were deliberately compromised in order to bring about this conversion. In the light of this controversy, the present article argues that the main factors that influenced the spread of Islam among the Tumbuka are to be found in the similarities between the traditional Tumbuka religious and social structure and the Islamic way of life, such as the belief in Chiuta/Allah, ritual offerings, polygamy, marriage ceremonies, birth and initiation rites, funeral rites, a code of conduct, inheritance rules, a calendar, and the extended family system. Notes, ref. |