Faith Healing Practices in Tanzania: Historical Evolution In Relation to Poverty and Well-Being

Abstract

Faith healing practices have long been part of Tanzania’s religious and cultural landscape.  Across different periods—pre-colonial, colonial, post-independence, Ujamaa socialism, and neoliberal reforms—faith healing has evolved in form, meaning, and institutional organization.  Despite of the role played by Faith healing in shaping spiritual, social, and economic well-being in Tanzania, yet its historical evolution in relation to poverty and well-being remain underexplored.  This systematic literature review traces the evolution of faith healing practices from indigenous spiritual traditions to contemporary Pentecostal and Charismatic movements in relation to poverty and well-being.  Using 62 studies identified through Mendeley and screened via the PRISMA framework, the review highlights six historical phases: indigenous spiritual healing, mission Christianity and popular healing, African Independent Churches, mainline church healing movements, Pentecostal and Charismatic expansion, and contemporary mass healing and institutional programs.   Across these phases, faith healing as an institution have provided holistic interventions that address both spiritual and material dimensions of poverty and well-being, offering social support, economic empowerment, and community resilience.  The review demonstrates that faith healing is not only a religious practice but also a context-sensitive social institution with practical implications for poverty reduction and human well-being.  Findings of this study underscore the potential for collaborating between faith healing ministries and development initiatives to enhance socio-economic development in Tanzania.