The Bekzandla Church of Zion is a rural Zionist church in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Zionism is the largest religion in Swaziland, with approximately 40% of the population as church members. Zionism is based on the principles of Christianity and also incorporates indigenous ancestral worship practices. Often based in makeshift churches in rural villages or homesteads, a congregation gathers on Sundays and is led by weekend preachers dressed in white, blue or green coats while carrying staffs. Sunday services last most of the day with singing, dancing, preaching, and healing acts. An emphasis is placed on healing churchgoers using many practices similar to those of traditional "sangorma" healers.
Jeffrey Mdlalodze, is the head pastor for the Bekzandla Church of zion which has about 40 members in its congregation. The Pastor preaches from the Bible but also goes into trance, speaks in tongue, exorcises his followers and holds baptisms at a holy waterfall on the weekends. Once in trance, Pastor Mdlalodze is believed to have the ability to scare demons and spirits out of people. Churchgoers specifically visit with the Pastor in order to be exorcised, which he accomplishes by acts of beating, pinching, biting and screaming into the ears. Exorcisms can last from five minutes up to over an hour, depending on the strength of the demon or spirit.
During Easter weekend, Zionist churches from all over Swaziland gather in area called the Lobamba valley. Most sects spend three days under large tents in groups praying, dancing and healing each other. Easter services begin on Friday evening with the first night vigil. A night vigil is a worship service that begins in the evening and continues throughout the night, concluding around six the following morning. The culmination of the weekend involves marching to the Royal Village and parading into the national stadium to listen to the King of Swaziland speak on Easter Sunday.
These photos are an account of the time I have spent with this group on and off for the past 3 years.