Zimbabwe's culture is a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of its diverse ethnic groups, traditions, and history. From Shona and Ndebele to smaller tribal communities, the country's culture reflects its multicultural essence.
Respect and politeness are integral to Zimbabwean culture. Greetings hold a special place - a warm "Mhoroi" or "Salibonani" (hello) is commonly used when meeting someone. A firm handshake and a friendly smile are considered customary. It's also customary to use appropriate titles, such as "Mudhara" for an older man or "Mai" for an older woman, to show respect.
Zimbabweans also place great importance on family and community bonds. Extended families often live together and support one another, emphasizing the communal nature of society. Elders are highly respected and consulted on important matters. Family gatherings, celebrations, and traditional ceremonies are key aspects of the culture.
Let's delve into the various aspects that define family life in Zimbabwe, from its cultural roots to the modern challenges it faces.
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Cultural Heritage and Diversity
Zimbabwe is situated in Southern Africa. The African population of Zimbabwe is made up of at least 13 ethnic groups who speak different languages. Some of these ethnic groups are the Tonga, Kalanga, Nambya, Ndebele (who migrated from present-day South Africa), Shona (who migrated from present day northeast Africa), Shangani, Sotho, San (Abathwa), Dema, Shangwe, amaFengu, Sena, and Lemba.
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Two ethnic groups that have received much academic study and international visibility are the Shona and Ndebele. The Shona people make up over 70% of the country's population, while the Ndebele people make up less than 20%.
While these ethnic population groups have distinct cultures and languages, most people in the country speak at least two languages, including one of the three official languages: chiShona, isiNdebele, and English.
English is the official language, widely spoken in business, education, and administration. However, Zimbabwe is a multilingual nation, and several indigenous languages thrive. Local languages play a significant role in daily communication, expressing the rich linguistic diversity.
Each ethnic group has its particular language, folklore, history, religion, cultural practices, cultural heritage, and folk arts. Ironically, it was colonialism that provided the context within which most of the integration between the various ethnic groups occurred, particularly the educational, religious, and political systems. Even today, the education system has provided one of the means of developing a national culture that cuts across ethnic and racial boundaries.
Historical processes have resulted in changes that have altered indigenous African life. Most families live in two worlds-the African and the European (or Western), and in their daily lives, they blend these two. Thus, while ancestral worship is the most dominant religious practice, Christianity and Islam have a stronghold in Zimbabwe.
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Some communities still hold on to their traditional African beliefs, where they connect with ancestral spirits and keep those age-old customs alive. Christianity, however, is also a big deal in Zimbabwe. You'll find various Protestant denominations and a strong Roman Catholic presence. Church services and religious festivals play a significant role in the cultural scene. A beautiful blend of ancient traditions and more recent beliefs coming together makes the culture so rich and diverse.
All indigenous Zimbabweans practice some form of ancestral religion, and more than 75% of the population are also Christian or Muslim.
Some of the indigenous practices such as rites of passage, interpersonal relationships, family life, clothing, food, work, sports, and other forms of entertainment have borrowed some elements from European culture. Most of these changes are fostered by the education system. In essence, there is no longer what could be regarded as purely indigenous practices. However, some of the practices are heavily embedded in indigenous culture.
Zimbabwe boasts a rich tapestry of cultural festivals and events. The Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) celebrates the arts, music, and culture on an international stage.
There are about 12 public holidays observed nationally, as well as those observed by the various religious groups such as Muslims and Christians. There are no indigenous holidays observed nationally, but families may have special days in the year during which they remember their deceased relatives. The most important national holidays are Independence Day, April 18; Workers' Day, May 1; Africa Day, May 25; Heroes Day, August 11; and Defense Forces' Day, August 12. These are generally celebrated under the supervision of the state.
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Rites of Passage
While most Zimbabweans still practice their indigenous culture, that culture has been significantly eroded by Christianity and European colonization. Most of the traditional practices and beliefs associated with rites of passage are being replaced with Western ones such as baptism and birthday parties. The public celebration of rites of passage associated with birth and puberty has almost ceased, except among a very few ethnic groups such as the amaFengu (a subgroup of the amaXhosa people of South Africa). The amaFengu practice public adolescent male circumcision, to announce boys' graduation to manhood. There is one minor ethnic group, the Remba, who still practice infibulation, an extreme form of female genital mutilation.
Marriage and death are still conducted in a manner that is very close to tradition. Marriage has remained a symbol of one's graduation into adulthood, while death and burial mark one's passage into the world of the “living dead,” that is, ancestors.
Family Dynamics and Social Structure
Interpersonal relations in Zimbabwe are characterized by a combination of African and European cultural practices. These practices vary according to ethnic group, although different ethnic groups borrow some practices from one another. Each ethnic group has its particular greetings and visiting customs.
Another important aspect of interpersonal relations that has been affected by Western culture is dating. Any form of dating in Zimbabwe always has a mediator. Most people do not usually date a stranger, for obvious reasons. Dating a complete stranger is regarded as one of the recipes for disharmony in a relationship. However, these beliefs are changing because most young people meet and date in schools, colleges, and universities with no prior knowledge of each other's family background.
Marriage and the family are the cornerstones of Zimbabwean society, regardless of ethnic group and race. Besides being an important rite of passage, marriage is regarded as a sacred practice. It is through marriage that the living are connected with their ancestors.
It is within the family that gender roles are defined. Most ethnic groups have patriarchal families, in which women play a subordinate role. They are expected to serve their husbands, work for them, and bear them children. However, women have particular rights, and access to a form of power that is not usually expressed publicly.
Families are usually headed by men, although there are a growing number of single-parent families headed by women. A typical family is made up of a husband and wife and at least two children. Traditional families are big, including five or more children, grandparents and children of relations. There are also what are known as extended families, composed of a father, a mother, and their son or sons with their own families.
Some men have more than one wife. It is not uncommon to find a man with 10 wives. One of the most common features of a Zimbabwean family, especially in the rural parts of the country, are animals. Most animals are not reared merely as pets but to serve other purposes. For instance, cats are kept in houses in order to kill pests such as mice and rats, and dogs are used to guard homes and for hunting.
Economic Challenges and Living Conditions
Not all Zimbabweans enjoy the same living conditions, particularly health facilities, housing, and transportation. Rural parts of the country are the worst, and cities enjoy most of the best conditions. However, the current economic crisis has heavily impacted both rural and urban areas. Most rural families do not have tap water. Transportation has become challenging in all parts of the country due to both fuel shortages and poor upkeep of the road system. Many parts of the country no longer have regular transport.
The same is true for health facilities. The whole country does not have adequate health facilities, but the rural population is hardest hit. Many communities do not always have access to a fully trained nurse let alone a doctor. Medicines are always inadequate. Some of the most common diseases are malaria, bilharzia, sexually transmitted diseases, tetanus, cholera, polio, and typhoid, and this is all compounded by the high HIV prevalence.
In both the city and the country, there are also local differences in the standard of living. In the city, the differences are based on race, gender, and class. People of European origin, Asians, people of mixed race, and elite blacks enjoy a better standard of living. In cities, women are the worst off because of the employment discrimination and related sexist practices that keep them from accessing resources such as land, credit, and housing.
Zimbabwe has been in a state of economic crisis since the early 2000s. The roots of the crisis date back to the mid-1960s and the era of African independence. In 1965, Ian Smith, the leader of Southern Rhodesia, declared unilateral independence from Britain, but imposed white minority rule, through the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI). The UDI resulted in international backlash, including sanctions, and a guerrilla war, which lasted until 1979.
The economic and political crisis has continued. Inflation is spiraling out of control. In January 2008, inflation was pegged at over 100,000%-the world's highest. Chronic food shortages, the collapse of basic services, compounded with over 20% HIV prevalence and corruption have led Zimbabwe to the brink of disaster.
Crime is a serious problem in Zimbabwe, driven by the country's depressed economy. citizens and other foreigners are perceived to be wealthy and are frequently targeted by criminals who operate in the vicinity of hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas of major cities and tourist areas such as Victoria Falls.
The public medical infrastructure is subpar and medical facilities are limited. Most serious illnesses or accidents require medical evacuation to South Africa. All travelers are strongly urged to obtain medical evacuation insurance coverage prior to arriving in Zimbabwe. Doctors, hospitals and air ambulance medical evacuation services often expect immediate, upfront cash payment for health services.
The political, social, economic, and security situations in Zimbabwe are unpredictable and could deteriorate quickly without warning.
Communications infrastructure in Zimbabwe is unreliable. citizens have been arrested, detained, and threatened with expulsion for activities that would not be considered crimes in the United States, including the administration of humanitarian aid and the expression of opinions regarding the current political regime in Zimbabwe. Criticism of the president is a crime in Zimbabwe.
Driving in Zimbabwe is extremely hazardous, particularly at night. Zimbabweans drive on the left side of the road and many people drive over the speed limit. Although the main roads throughout Zimbabwe are generally in fair but deteriorating condition, most lack passing lanes, shoulders, breakdown lanes, lighting, reflectors, and similar safety features.
Challenges and Transformations
Despite the challenges, Zimbabweans are resilient and resourceful. Many families are finding innovative ways to cope with the economic hardships and improve their living conditions.
One success story can be found in agriculture. Some of the success stories are maize, sunflower, groundnuts, and cotton. Even though cotton is the only major cash crop, farm workers winnow soya beans.
There are many training centers run by nongovernmental organizations; and some are cooperatives. This is an important entry point to technically skilled employment. Those skills extend to baking, to supplement household income.
According to the constitution, men and women are equal. However, lobola (bride price practices ) are still allowed, impacting cultural norms.
Family life has been affected by financial constraints. Traditional forms of support are still practiced, and therefore were avoided, but they are now widely consumed.
Daily Life and Traditions
Even with the adoption of European dress is the most dominant form of clothing in the country, there are very few people who wear traditional clothes on a regular basis. Traditional dress comprises a headdress, wraparound cloth, and ornamentation such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. This dress is usually seen during ceremonial and state occasions such as Independence Day and Heroes' Day.
Zimbabwe's staple food is called sadza, made out of cornmeal and eaten with any relish, the most common being either greens or meat (particularly beef and chicken). Other traditional foods are milk, wild fruits, rice, green maize (corn on the cob), cucumbers, peanuts, beans, and home-brewed beer.
While most of the utensils used are Western, some traditional utensils are still in use. Some of these are calabashes (gourds) that are used to store and cool water and milk; and clay pots used for cooking special foods such as meat, and for storing milk. Wooden plates and spoons are still in use alongside Western ones.
Since colonization, Zimbabweans have adopted some of the European food or the foods introduced by Europeans, especially sugar, bread, and tea. Most families usually have a minimum of three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Nowadays, for breakfast people may eat porridge made out of cornmeal or oatmeal, cereal, or bread and tea. Leftovers from the previous day may be eaten for breakfast, too. For lunch, people usually have sadza with an accompanying relish, or any available heavy food. A similar meal might be eaten for dinner. However, foreign foods such as macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes are now part of the staple diet. In cities, people can get meals from restaurants or take-out food places. Some of the fast-food places are Chicken Inn and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
There are taboos associated with certain types of foods. These taboos depend on a number of factors: family name, age, sex, and context.
The Shona religion is a blend of monotheism and veneration of ancestors. At the top of the spirit hierarchy are the mhondoro, spirits of dead clan founders and kings who watch over entire clans, regions, or the Shona people as a whole. The vadzimu (singular mudzimu) are the ancestors of specific families, and they continue to exist as long as they have living descendants to remember and honor them. A recently deceased person’s spirit does not become a mudzimu until the kurova guva ceremony, usually held one year after the death, at which the living relatives invite the spirit to return to the family and watch over them as an ancestor.
All of these spirits communicate with humans through spiritual mediums, called svikiro. Each medium can become possessed by one specific spirit, and takes on the authority and social role of that spirit. Another important aspect of Shona culture are the n’anga, medicine men (and women) or “witchdoctors.” Their healing methods include spiritual guidance as well as traditional herbal medicine (muti), since in the traditional Shona worldview many physical ailments have spiritual causes.
Gender Empowerment
INSPIRE encourages couples to re-examine the gender roles they play in their families through an initiative called Gender Action Learning, or GAL. Samakute and Chideye demonstrate how to make maize porridge fortified with protein from an egg and peanut butter.
"[Men] consider themselves the head of the household, and they don't cook," says Samakute. "I see men fighting new ideas, but their attitudes only lead us to underdevelopment. Men need to work with their wives."
"We have lost these old views," he adds firmly. "And we're happy. Our children are healthy."
Behavior change can be tricky,” Zacks says. “It takes time. But at the household level, we’ve adapted some gender-related issues. We can utilize everyone’s contribution to decision-making. As a man, it’s not difficult to change a diaper. You just learn how, and assist your wife.
When you share the house chores, it helps create a bond between the husband and the wife. I will know, ‘My wife is tired.’ But it ensures that nobody sends someone to do a lot of hard-working stuff, leaving the chores to be done by one person. That person will be sick and not feel well, especially after giving birth. They need to be taken care. They need to know they are loved because you’ve brought an extra person in the household.
It helped improve our sex life,” she says. “ Now, if he’s tired, I’m tired, and no one has more strength than the other. If we’re tired, we’re tired; if we’re not, we’re not.
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