Photographer Chris Kirby is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this documentary photography. These images are from his project ‘To the beat of the African drum‘. To see Chris’ gallery of projects click on any image.
Religion plays an important part of daily life in the townships in South Africa with high attendance in the many churches on Sundays.
The fastest growing denominations since the democratic elections are known as African Affiliated Churches. At these churches Christianity has been fused with traditional African beliefs and old cultural practices such as faith healing.
The most successfully attended of these is the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) that has over 10,000 churches in South Africa alone. Here hymns are replaced with vibrant drumbeats, rhythmic chanting and trance like dancing.
The ZCC attendees are easily recognized by the wearing of their brightly colored robes with embroidered religious symbols.
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By Chris Kirby
