The first gripe against settlers is their mass categorisation of different Zimbabwean ethnic groups. [Zimbabwean cultural anthropologist Taazara Nhemacena] Munhumutema does not question the assumed homogeneity of the nation but argues that it has been ascribed to elastic demographics. There are varied ethnic clusters which make up Zimbabwe, namely Abathwa, Barwe, Budya, Chirunda, Hlengwe, Kalanga, Karanga, Korekore, Manyika, Nambia, Nanzwa, Ndau, Ndebele, Tonga, Shangani, Shangwe, Sotho, Tavara, Venda and Zezuru. To consign the homogeneity which begets nationhood to language and ethnic group is, therefore, a divisive and attritional formula. Munhumutema argues that the homogeneity of Zimbabweans does not obtain in tribes, languages or religions, as these vary from region to another. The missing dimension is unhu/ubuntu, that communal value system unique to our country and our continent. Whereas the West is being assailed by “njake njake,” that is, family dysfunction, moral bankruptcy and individualism, Africa’s enduring mainstay is unhu. Africa is threatened by the growing dereliction of this mainstay. “The troubles of Africa will abate only when Africans remaster their unhu instead of straying after people with norms and moral standards that have nothing to do with them as Africans,” contends Munhumutema.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 03:06:23 +0000