Ndebele spirituality as pathways to peace and healing in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Recently there has been a call to deepen an understanding of African spirituality and its implications, in terms of understanding how it can strengthen the lives of Africans. Several scholars have written about different African groups thereby unveiling its richness and potential to act as a resource in dealing with many contemporary problems. Little however was done in relation to Ndebele spirituality, thereby prompting the need for this study. Furthermore, there have been arguments that peace and community building programs implemented in Zimbabwe are elitist, and therefore ignore the needs of ordinary people at grassroots level. This study sought to contribute to the growing body of scholarly work on African spirituality, by exploring Ndebele spirituality in particular. A qualitative research approach was used and was guided by ethnographic principles. Its primary aim was, to explore the values and principles underpinning Ndebele spirituality and to inquire about how its customs and healing methodologies can be used to rebuild community life. Purposive sampling and snow balling sampling were used to choose the sample which consisted of traditional healers and elders and community members. An interview guide was used to collect data, during semi-structured interviews that were held with these participants. The data reflected the following major themes viz. the philosophy underpinning Ndebele spirituality, values related to Ndebele spirituality, customs, rituals and healing methodologies. Ubuntu emerged as the overriding philosophy which guides every aspect of Ndebele spirituality. This means that Ndebele people approach their day-to-day life and spirituality in a collective manner. The Ndebele believe in the collective, hence healing methodologies are designed to restore and maintain both the individual, but mainly the collective. Therefore, the study recommended that people revert to the principles of Ubuntu which ensure working and living together