Church services and religious change in Burundi

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21790652
AutoresPedro Naso (0000-0002-6280-9222, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, autor correspondente), Jean Budurha (Université du Burundi)
Ano2026
Páginas1-25
Data de publicação2026-07-08
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPolitics and Religion (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1755-0491 • E-ISSN: 1755-0483
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1755048326100406
OpenAlexW4395699110
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas44

In Burundi, weekly services are the primary point of contact between churches and their followers, with most of the population attending. These gatherings provide churches with a strategic platform to attract and retain members. Over six months, we collected data from five churches in the rural town of Muramvya—Catholic, Anglican, Pentecostal, FECABU (Evangelical), and Adventist—analyzing 125 transcripts for structure, themes, scope, tone, and key words. We find that emerging denominations—Pentecostal, FECABU, and Adventist—pursue different strategies than traditional ones. Pentecostal and FECABU churches place greater emphasis on rituals than on scripture readings, adopt a more positive tone, and focus on the immediate concerns of their congregants rather than abstract topics. The Adventist Church, while also emphasizing rituals and using a positive tone, distinguishes itself with a stronger commitment to scripture. The Pentecostal church uniquely combines a focus on morality with references to supernatural punishment. We argue that this blend of approaches among emerging denominations strengthens group cohesion and enriches individual faith experiences, helping them attract followers. Our findings shed light on the growth of these denominations in Burundi and may help explain broader religious trends across Sub-Saharan Africa

Geography · Political science · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Philosophy · Religion and Society Interactions · Religion, Society, and Development · Religious studies