Religion in Swaziland
Encyclopedia
The population of Swaziland
is approximately 35 percent Protestant, 30 percent African Zionist, 25 percent Catholic
, 1 percent Muslim
and Hinduism
(0.15%).. Those statistics, however do not match CIA's data in Nationmaster
, which specifies 66% protestants and 5,33% catholics
The remaining 9 percent of the population is divided among the Baha'i Faith
, Seventh-day Adventism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Branhamism
, and other religious groups. The Zionist Churches
, which blend Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship, predominate in rural areas. A large Roman Catholic presence, including churches, schools, and other infrastructure, continues to flourish. The country forms a single diocese - the Diocese of Manzini.
Followers of Judaism
, Islam, and the Baha'i Faith are generally located in urban areas. Islam in Swaziland probably dates to the colonial period, when many Muslims settled in the country from other countries under the dominion of the British Empire
. Most immigrants from South Asia
practice Islam. There are few atheists. Missionaries continue to play a role in rural development.
The new Constitution, which went into effect on February 8, 2006, provides for freedom of religion
. The Government generally respects freedom of religion in practice. The US government received no reports of societal abuse or discrimination based on religious belief or practice during 2008.
Swaziland
Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
is approximately 35 percent Protestant, 30 percent African Zionist, 25 percent Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, 1 percent Muslim
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
(0.15%).. Those statistics, however do not match CIA's data in Nationmaster
NationMaster
NationMaster is a statistical website that aims to facilitate comparison of publicly available data on all countries of the world. Self-described as "a massive central data source," the developers bring together information found in a wide range of documents, including the Central Intelligence...
, which specifies 66% protestants and 5,33% catholics
The remaining 9 percent of the population is divided among the Baha'i Faith
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
, Seventh-day Adventism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Branhamism
Branhamism
Branhamism refers to the distinctive doctrines of William M. Branham , an American faith healer and preacher of the mid-twentieth century. The term is generally disliked by adherents, who typically refer to themselves as "Message Believers" or simply "Christians", and to Branham's teachings as The...
, and other religious groups. The Zionist Churches
Zionist Churches
Zionist Churches are a group of Christian denominations that sprang from the Christian Catholic Apostolic Church in Zion, Illinois. Missionaries from the church came to South Africa in 1904 and among their first recruits were Pieter Louis le Roux of Wakkerstroom and Daniel Nkonyane of Charlestown,...
, which blend Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship, predominate in rural areas. A large Roman Catholic presence, including churches, schools, and other infrastructure, continues to flourish. The country forms a single diocese - the Diocese of Manzini.
Followers of Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, Islam, and the Baha'i Faith are generally located in urban areas. Islam in Swaziland probably dates to the colonial period, when many Muslims settled in the country from other countries under the dominion of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. Most immigrants from South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
practice Islam. There are few atheists. Missionaries continue to play a role in rural development.
The new Constitution, which went into effect on February 8, 2006, provides for freedom of religion
Freedom of religion
Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
. The Government generally respects freedom of religion in practice. The US government received no reports of societal abuse or discrimination based on religious belief or practice during 2008.