Takawira Kazembe

Shona Religion of Zimbabwe: Shona Religion: the Traditional Religion of the Majority of the Indigenous People of Zimbabwe Takawira Kazembe

This book concerns the spirits and spirit mediums of Zimbabwe: what they are; their organizational structures and functions in religion and traditional medicine; training related to traditional medicine; medium gender balances and views of n?angas and herbalists. The book defines ?Divine Angels?, Vadzimu, and Mashave and their roles in efficacies of traditional medicines. The relationships between spirits and their mediums, misconceptions, the phenomenon of spirit possession, bira and chenura ceremonies, matters of doctrine: judgement and life after death; relationships between spirits, spirits and people; differences between spirituality and magic; interactions between God and people; life styles of Angelic spirit mediums and their involvement in people?s gatherings; non-involvement of Shona Religion in evangelism are spelt out. Shona religious values and prophecies of spirit mediums which have influenced life in Zimbabwe are documented. Final discussion is on marriage and its role in shaping community values.