The durawall of faith: Pentecostal spirituality in neo-liberal Zimbabwe

This paper considers the nature of Pentecostal spirituality in contemporary Zimbabwe, taking as its case study Zimbabwe Assemblies of God, Africa (ZAOGA), one of the continent's largest and most vital Pentecostal movements. The analysis centres upon a lexicon of key words, phrases and narrative...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Maxwell, David (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 2005
In: Journal of religion in Africa
Year: 2005, Volume: 35, Issue: 1, Pages: 4-32
Further subjects:B Church
B Ideology
B Religion
B Zimbabwe
B Pentecostal churches
B Religious organization
Description
Summary:This paper considers the nature of Pentecostal spirituality in contemporary Zimbabwe, taking as its case study Zimbabwe Assemblies of God, Africa (ZAOGA), one of the continent's largest and most vital Pentecostal movements. The analysis centres upon a lexicon of key words, phrases and narratives used in song, preaching, testimony and prayer. For example, there is a preponderance of images of security, including the 'durawall', the protective concrete fencing surrounding a factory or a suburban home. The paper demonstrates how Pentecostalism, as quintessential popular religion, is able both to satisfy deep existential passions and to aid those struggling for survival in the specific social conditions of neo-liberal Zimbabwe. (...) Pentecostal communities provide believers with security in the face of state retrenchment, the capriciousness of global capitalism and growing levels of violence and crime. (...) (J Relig Afr/DÜI)
ISSN:0022-4200
Contains:In: Journal of religion in Africa