Lubwa Mission

Lubwa Mission
Lubwa Mission in Chinsali. Source: ZNBC
Religion
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Active
Status	Historic
Location
Location	Chinsali District, Zambia
Country	Zambia

The Lubwa Mission is a historic mission established in 1904 in Chinsali District, Zambia, by the Livingstonia Mission of the United Free Church of Scotland. It played a central role in the religious, educational, socio-political, and economic development of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and was instrumental in shaping Zambia’s independence movement.

Founding and Purpose

The Livingstonia Mission was inspired by David Livingstone's vision to spread Christianity and promote socio-economic development in Africa. Lubwa Mission’s work combined religious education with practical skills training, initially attracting young men and introducing Westernised lifestyles that brought both opportunities and challenges to local communities.

Growth and Challenges

After World War I, Lubwa Mission expanded rapidly, heightening its rivalry with the Roman Catholic White Fathers' Mission. This competition led to a strong emphasis on education and evangelism, introducing new cultural norms that affected family and community dynamics.

Educational and Health Initiatives

The mission became a major centre for education, training teachers and evangelists to support an independent African church. In 1936, Lubwa Mission established Lubwa Hospital, which served as the primary healthcare provider in the district until 1960, facilitating a shift from traditional to modern medicine.

Political Influence

In the 1940s, Lubwa Mission emerged as a hub for political consciousness and anti-colonial sentiment. Graduates, including Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s first president and Simon Kapwepwe became pivotal figures in Zambia’s independence movement, with Lubwa’s teachings of self-governance shaping their advocacy.

Economic and Social Development

Lubwa Mission contributed significantly to economic and social development in Chinsali District. The mission promoted modern agricultural techniques, including crop rotation and animal husbandry, and introduced rectangular Western-style houses that improved sanitation and reduced disease. Skills training in carpentry, brickmaking, and sewing provided economic opportunities, enabling some graduates to establish small businesses that supported the regional economy.

Bible Translation Efforts

Lubwa Mission was pivotal in translating the Bible into Bemba, making Christianity accessible to Bemba speakers. Early translators included H.C. Nutter, W. Freshwater, and later R.D. MacMinn and Paul Mushindo, who completed the full Bemba Bible, Baibele wa Mushilo, in 1956. The translation preserved cultural relevance by using familiar Bemba terms, such as “Umupashi” for "spirit," enabling a deeper connection with Christian teachings.

The Crisis of 1955

The year 1955 marked a significant crisis at Lubwa Mission, resulting in its first major schism. The crisis was fueled by disputes over the authority of direct revelation versus biblical revelation, the role of women in church leadership, and the mission's approach to witchcraft. Alice Lenshina, an uneducated woman from Kasomo village near Lubwa, claimed to have had a vision of Jesus in 1953, which led her to challenge the mission’s teachings. Lenshina’s movement, the Lumpa Church, quickly grew and drew away many followers, resulting in the formation of an independent church that rejected both mission and colonial authority.

Lubwa responded by restructuring its operations, forming the KBBK women’s organisation to strengthen community engagement. However, rising tensions between Lumpa members and others in the community led to government intervention and the violent suppression of the Lumpa Church in 1964.

Legacy

By 1967, Lubwa Mission had transferred its educational and healthcare roles to the Zambian government. Nevertheless, it remains a landmark in Zambia’s socio-political and religious history. Through its emphasis on Bible translation, economic development, and community leadership, Lubwa Mission fostered a uniquely African Christian identity and inspired a generation of leaders who played central roles in Zambia's post-independence era.

See also

• Kenneth Kaunda
• Paul Mushindo
• Alice Lenshina
• Lumpa Church
• Chinsali District

References

• Arie Nicolaas Ipenburg, The Development of Lubwa Mission, Chinsali, Zambia 1904-1967, Ph.D. thesis, University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies, May 1991