Shembe

/ ˈʃɛmbɛ /

noun

1. (in South Africa) an African sect that combines Christianity with aspects of Bantu religion

Example Sentences

In South Africa, the pelts previously marked Zulu aristocracy and today play an important role in the traditions of the Shembe Church.

Read more on The New Yorker

The phalanxes of dancers with shields, headgear of ostrich feathers and other regalia on Sunday evoked the proud traditions of one of South Africa’s main ethnic groups, as well as the piety of the participants, whose Shembe religious movement blends Christian and indigenous beliefs.

Read more on Seattle Times

About half the men were wearing fake leopard skins in an openness to change among the Shembe group, which views the pelts as symbols of power.

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The church, also known as Shembe, combines a loose combination of Zulu culture and Old Testament Christianity.

Read more on BBC

Members of South Africa’s Shembe Church pray on Saturday while kneeling in water on Durban’s beach front, which is popular with surfers.

Read more on BBC