Editing Lumpa Church (section)

== Conflict with UNIP ==
A large projected membership of around 60,000-90,000 was politically significant for the [[United National Independence Party]] (UNIP) organisers in the Northern province. From the late 1950s until 1961, the Lumpa movement was perceived as having a strong nationalist and anti-European elements. It was reported that prior to the formation of UNIP, the [[African National Congress]] (ANC) had promised the status of a national church. However, UNIP did not have any intention to follow this, and instead showed increased impatience with Lumpa religious practices, especially its emphasis on witchcraft and [[exorcism]].<ref name=":0" /> Converts refused to obey state authorities and often clashed with members of UNIP.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Phiri |first=I. |date=1999-03-01 |title=Why African Churches Preach Politics: The Case of Zambia |url=https://academic.oup.com/jcs/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/jcs/41.2.323 |journal=Journal of Church and State |language=en |volume=41 |issue=2 |pages=323–347 |doi=10.1093/jcs/41.2.323 |issn=0021-969X}}</ref> 

The Lumpa church refused to pay taxes and formed its own villages which threatened traditional authority. Lenshina challenged the dominant nationalist party, UNIP, that was fighting against colonial rule in [[Northern Rhodesia]]. Lenshina had once supported the freedom of Africans from colonial rule, but after [[Kenneth Kaunda]] broke away from the ANC and formed UNIP in 1958, she was critical of this new party. Strong animosity between supporters of the ANC and UNIP resulted in violence, including stones thrown at houses and homes being burnt. Lenshina ordered her followers to leave their homes and establish separate villages. This led to clashes between members of the Lumpa church and UNIP supporters and the burning of many homes. 

In 1962, after a year of visiting various Lumpa churches, Lenshina discovered her support had decreased because of the activities of UNIP. Immediately, she forbade members from joining the party and staged a public burning of UNIP party cards.<ref name=":2" /> 

In 1963, Lenshina prohibited her followers from participating in political activity due to the belief it was a form of terrestrial witchcraft. This caused increased tensions with UNIP supporters and in 1963, there were numerous incidents where Lumpa churches were burnt and where Lumpa members raided in retaliation.<ref name=":1" /> A government deadline was set for the 20th of July 1964, where Lumpa church members were required to disarm and abandoned the fortified villages they had established.<ref name=":0" /> Kaunda held several meetings with Lenshina in an attempt at reconciliation. After winning the 1964 election, Kaunda gave the Lumpa church an ultimatum to abandon their settlements which caused the outbreak of civil war from July to October 1964.<ref name=":2" />