Exploring Bemba Traditional Religious Cosmology of Mystical Powers in Mpika District, Zambia

Armstrong Chanda; Austin M Cheyeka

Armstrong Chanda Mpika College of Education
Austin M Cheyeka The University of Zambia, Department of Religious & Cultural Studies

Keywords: Spirits, witchcraft, magic, sorcery, rituals, mystical powers.

Abstract

The study explored the Bemba Traditional Religious (BTR) cosmology of mystical powers in Mpika district. Among the Bemba people, these powers are considered impersonal, supernatural, or magical forces that pervade the cosmos, function behind all human activities, act in various ways for good and bad, and impact people’s daily lives. The study employed a qualitative research method and a descriptive case study. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were engaged to generate the appropriate data. Data was analysed using thematic framework analysis. The Bemba people and their traditional leaders made up the population. The sample size of 30 participants was chosen through homogenous purposive sampling. The study established that the Bemba people believed in the existence of the unseen or spirit world, which they thought was the source of magical abilities. Mystical powers manifested through witchcraft, divination, magic, traditional medicine, rituals, vows and oaths traditional healers, witches, diviners and medicine men and women.

Author Biographies

Armstrong Chanda, Mpika College of Education

Head of the Department of Educational Studies, researcher, and lecturer at Mpika College of Education in Mpika, Zambia. He lectures in religious education, educational psychology and educational research. Armstrong holds a BA (Social Sciences, Religious Studies, Philosophy and English Language) from Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), and M.Ed. in Religious Studies at the University of Zambia where he is currently pursuing a PhD in Religious Studies. His research interests are African traditional religion, inculturation and interreligious dialogue between Christianity and Indigenous religions, Catholicism, religious ethics and the psychology of religion

Austin M Cheyeka, The University of Zambia, Department of Religious & Cultural Studies

Associate Professor in the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies at the University of Zambia in the School of Education. He has published a book, journal articles and book chapters on Pentecostalism as well as religion and politics in Zambia. His specific research interests are religion and politics, religion and education, and Pentecostalism while his topical interests of research are religion (especially Indigenous Bantu religions) and religious conversion and missionaries.