Religion in Malawi
Religion
in Malawi has been influenced by traders and missionaries entering from the
north, south, east and west. Arab traders brought Islam to Malawi.[1] Today, approximately
one-fourth of the population adheres to Sunni Islam. There are ongoing Islamic
missionary efforts in Malawi sponsored by organizations in Kuwait and Saudi
Arabia. The Yao people of southern Malawi are predominantly Muslim.[2]
The
first Christian missionaries in Malawi were sent out from the Catholic church.
Today, Roman Catholics make up a significant portion of the Christian
population. The most well-known missionary to Malawi was David Livingstone who
established the mission later named Livingstonia in his honor. It is estimated
that about half of the population of Malawi identify themselves as Protestant
Christian. The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian is the dominant Protestant
denomination in the country, but there are a variety of smaller Protestant
denominations which as active and growing. [3]
Currently,
Protestant missionary efforts in Malawi are focused around training national
pastors, medical care and HIV prevention, Christian education and outreach to
unreached people groups such as the Yao of southern Malawi and the animistic
Gulu of northern Malawi.[4]
There
are those such as the Gulu who continue to practice animistic traditional
African beliefs. The Nyau religion in Central Malawi is another example of
traditional religion in Malawi. Even in Islamic, Catholic and Protestant
groups, African animism often influences religious interpretations. Africans
tend to hold very strongly to the idea of spiritual, super natural power and
spiritual beings.[5]
Hinduism
is another active religion in Malawi. While many Hindu followers are of Indian
descent, a segment of the native Malawian population has also adopted the
religion. Most people in Malawi claim to be religious with very few atheists.[6]
[1] "Religions."
2016. http://www.malawiproject.org/about-malawi/history/religions/.
[2]
"Malawi." 2016. http://www.sim.org/index.php/country/MW.
[3] "Religions."
2016. http://www.malawiproject.org/about-malawi/history/religions/.
[4] "Malawi."
2016. http://www.sim.org/index.php/country/MW.
[5]
Ibid.
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