Independent Churches in Africa: Aladura and Zion Churches

When European missionaries came to Africa, they sought to establish versions of the churches that already existed such as the Anglican, Catholic, and so forth. However, not all Africans were keen to embrace the orthodox versions of Christianity that the Europeans brought. Some decided to modify and adapt Christianity to local beliefs and conditions. The Independent churches were more prevalent in West and Southern Africa.

The most common Independent churches in West Africa were known as Aladura Churches. The churches were a combination of Yoruba and Christian belief systems. One of the founders, Abiodun Akinsowon who had been in the Anglican Church claimed that she received a vision from an Angel instructing her to create a new religious society called the Cherubim and Seraphim Society. Although the church started as an affiliate of the Anglican church, it broke away in 1928. The Aladura churches for example offered frequent revelations and protection from witchcraft, and emphasized prayer in ways which were not addressed in the Anglican Church. It is estimated that there are about 1 million members in the current Aladura churches in Nigeria.

In South Africa, many blacks followed the Zion Church, an offshoot of an American church from Illinois. By 1908, the church was led by Daniel Nkonyane. The church focused on faith healing, speaking in tongues and baptism and also offered protection from witchcraft. After the 1950s, many aspects of this religion were exported to neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe.

Independent churches have spread in Africa but also around the world as Africans migrate to other parts.