Islamisation of Liteta in Chibombo District in Central Province of Zambia
Date
2015-02-19
Authors
Hanjoomo, Charles Aishah
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Abstract
This study set out to explore reasons for conversion to Islam by the people of Liteta in
Chibombo District in Central Province of Zambia. It aimed at establishing a variety of Islam
found in Liteta, identifying the people converting to Islam, and establishing the extent of
Islamisation of Liteta area. The study was guided by Humphrey Fisher’s theory of African
Conversion. The study employed a qualitative design where face to face interviews and
observations were used as methods of collecting primary data. Purposive sampling was used
to select the participants who possessed the much needed data for the study. The sample size
comprised a total number of thirty (30) participants who included one Chief, five headmen
(three men and two women), five different Christian churches’ leaders, five teachers, eight
new converts and five non-Muslims. Data analysis was done by extracting meaning from
themes emerging from the field notes. Ethical issues were also considered when collecting
and analysing data.
The findings of the study showed that the variety of Islam found in Liteta is Sunni. The study
established five categories of people that are converting to Islam in Liteta. These include the
aged and the poor, the retirees, the widows and widowers, the youth and the orphans, and
subsistence farmers. The findings also revealed seven reasons that led the people of Liteta to
embrace Islam. These include; poverty, Islam’s tolerance of polygamy, extended family
system, Islamic dress, promotion of good diet and good health as well as Islamic religious
festivals. Finally, the study established the extent of Islam in Liteta which was found to be
widely spread with a concentration in the Western part of the area. The total number of
converts was reported to be between three hundred and fifty, and four hundred and fifty (350
to 450). Utilising Humphrey Fisher’s theory of African Conversion the researcher concluded
that Muslim converts of Liteta are at the mixing stage where they are combining their old
traditional beliefs with the new Islamic faith. And because these converts were Christians,
they can be said to mix Islam and Christianity as well. From the findings of the study, the
study also did recommend that other scholars should research more on Islam found in other
Districts or Provinces of Zambia, the categories of people converting to Islam together with
causal factors for converting to Islam in order to establish spread of Islam in Zambia.
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Keywords
Muslims-Liteta, Zambia , Islam-Zambia-Lusaka-21st Century