What happened to the lumpa tribe and Alice lushina religious sect from west of Zambia?

The Lumpa tribe is an indigenous African religious group that originated in Zambia. The tribe gained prominence in the 1950s and 1960s under the leadership of Alice Lenshina.

A religious movement known as the Lumpa Church, also called the Lumpa Rising or Lumpa Insurrection, arose within the tribe. The movement combined traditional African beliefs with Christian elements and preached non-cooperation with the British colonial government and the dominant Anglican Church.

a) Lumpa Uprising

In 1953, the British colonial authorities became concerned about the growing influence and political activism of the Lumpa Church. They arrested Alice Lenshina and other Lumpa leaders and detained them without trial.

This sparked the Lumpa Uprising, a series of violent clashes between Lumpa followers and government forces. The uprising lasted for several months and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, mostly Lumpa adherents.

b) Aftermath

After the uprising, Alice Lenshina was released from detention and placed under house arrest. Many Lumpa followers fled to neighboring countries such as Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Angola.

The Lumpa Church was suppressed by the British colonial authorities and the newly established independent Zambian government. Alice Lenshina died in 1978, and the movement gradually declined.

2. Alice Lenshina Religious Sect

Alice Lenshina, also known as Lenshina Mulenga or Alice Mulenga, was the founder and spiritual leader of the Lumpa Church. She was a charismatic figure who claimed to have received divine visions and revelations.

Alice Lenshina's religious teachings emphasized the importance of traditional African values, such as respect for elders and the community, and the rejection of European influences and Christianity. She also advocated for the economic and social empowerment of African people.

After the suppression of the Lumpa Uprising and her subsequent house arrest, Alice Lenshina continued to practice her religious beliefs and maintain a small group of followers. However, the movement never regained its former influence and eventually faded into obscurity.