Great Zimbabwe most likely worshipped Mwari, the supreme god in the Shona religion. Religion triggered their rise to power. Great Zimbabwe itself was most likely an important religious center. They believed they could actively communicate with their ancestors and that everything in nature had a soul. Religion, much like today, helped the Zimbabwe people cope with disease. Among their cultural religious customs, they had some Christian beliefs as well.

Arab immigrants brought Islam to Kilwa. Large mosques were built with domes and cloisters. The most remembered one was the Great Mosque of Kilwa. Muslims of Kilwa declared a jihad, holy struggle, to convert other African people from their indigenous religion to Islam. Even though many people in Kilwa accepted Islam, many remained with the he traditional African religious practices.

Religious Beliefs