Factors that influence resistance to Adventism among the Ila tribe of Namwala, Zambia

Abstract

The main focus of this thesis is evangelism among the Ila of Namwala in Zambia. It discusses the difficulties with which Pastors and evangelists encounter among the Ila people due to their hold on culture. Some of the cultural practices that the Ila hold on to are practices such as polygamy, sexual cleansing, ancestor worship (Shimunenga ceremony), etc. The practices here mentioned have for a long time hindered church growth among the Ila people. It was after observing the tenacity with which the Ila hold to their culture, that the researcher sought a deeper understanding of the Ila people and the cultural dynamics which shape them. To begin the search for understanding the culture of these people sixty-three questionnaires were distributed to forty elderly people both men and women and also to twenty three youths both boys and girls. The feedback from the distribution of these questionnaires, contributed to the outcome of this research. This earlier activity was followed by the biblical theological foundations of humans which were contrasted with the realities of the Ila people of Namwala. In this vein both the old and new testaments were consulted. In addition to the above assertions, personal interviews were also conducted. It was after identifying the cultural factors that influence resistance to accepting Adventism among the Ila that the researcher organized a seminar in which he discussed with the members the dangers of culture in relation to God’s word. This seminar attracted 23 members both men and women. In this seminar, the participants discussed the importance of community services to the needy people, and the mechanics of implementing the program. The texts that were used were Matthew 25: 31-46 and Acts 9; 36-43.The program was implemented on a few selected families and the result was a dramatic change of attitude towards Adventism among them. Community service projects when implemented in the spirit of Christ can yield positive results on the community upon which they are implemented.