A prophetic Christian movement born from the vision and leadership of Simão Gonçalves Toko, surviving persecution and evolving into a major religious force in Angola.
Tokoism, also known as the Tokoist Church, is a Christian prophetic movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, founded by Simão Gonçalves Toko (1918-1984) after a charismatic event in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa) in 1949. The movement, which began with the setting up of Toko’s own church following his experience and perceived divine encounter, has played a significant role in the socio-religious landscape of Angola, reflecting broader themes of memory, mobility, political leadership, and social change within Angolan and Southern African contexts.
Origins and Expansion
Simão Toko was born in 1918 in the small village of Sadi-Zulumongo. His early education at a Baptist Missionary Society station in Kibokolo marked the beginning of his journey into leadership and spirituality. His exceptional performance at the mission enabled him to further his education in Luanda, where he later returned to work as a teacher before migrating to Leopoldville. This move set the stage for the birth of Tokoism following Toko’s vision and subsequent religious and leadership activities.
Persecution and Resilience
Tokoism faced severe repression from the Portuguese colonial authorities, who viewed it as a terrorist movement. Toko and his followers were subjected to imprisonment, torture, and deportation, experiences that would later feed into the church’s memory and ideology of martyrdom. Despite these challenges, the movement failed to be quashed, instead growing in strength and number.
Post-Independence Evolution
The end of colonial rule and the onset of Angola’s independence in 1975 did not immediately improve the Tokoist Church’s situation. The MPLA government’s Marxist-Leninist anti-religious stance and suspicions towards Toko’s leadership led to continued persecution. However, the church’s resilience saw it through these challenges, with internal struggles leading to the emergence of different factions within the movement.
The New Era under Afonso Nunes
The appointment of Afonso Nunes as a leading figure in the early 2000s marked a significant turning point for Tokoism. Claiming to have been “incorporated” by the spirit of Simão Toko, Nunes spearheaded a movement towards reunion, expansion, and greater public engagement. His efforts, appealing particularly to the younger generation, helped transform Tokoism from a clandestine, resilient church to a vibrant, public religious movement with a transnational presence. Under Nunes’s leadership, Tokoism began to be identified progressively as a key component of the Angolan Christian church landscape.
Tokoism Today
Today, Tokoism continues to be a major religious movement in Angola, with hundreds of thousands of followers spread across several continents. The movement has navigated through periods of significant adversity, including colonial repression and post-independence persecution, to emerge as a vibrant and integral part of Angolan society and beyond. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Simão Toko and the resilience of his followers in the face of challenges.
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