Following a realization that during each plebiscite in Zimbabwe, scores of people are injured, killed and displaced due to the intensity of political violence, this research was carried out to focus on the possible role of traditional taboos in restraining the behaviors of the conflict perpetrators. This is against the fact that traditionally, taboos were used as a policing mechanism in respective communities. However, due to the advent of globalization, modernity and other influences, some of these taboos seem to have been washed to the periphery and lost relevance.
The study carried out in Mazowe and Shamva districts, was primarily exploratory being applied within the qualitative paradigm. The study, employing formal interviews, focus group discussions and archival material drew a total sample of 135 participants from across the divide through snowball and emergent sampling. The analysis and interpretation of data was achieved through the use of NVIVO software and Content Analysis method, which provided for the analysis of written and audio material. To ensure near objectivity and total acceptability of the results, the research instituted some measures like; depth in research, objective interpretation of the world by all concerned stakeholders, appropriate sampling mode, method triangulation, data triangulation, timing and duration of the study.
The study found out that while the taboo concept was an old-fashioned mechanism of restraining conflicts in society, it still had its place for as long as there were deliberate efforts towards sustaining its importance. It was also established that indeed, there were some volatile situations that were addressed by the fear of the effects of the taboos. Some conflicts were also averted by the fears created by some taboos that have since been swallowed by other cultures and religions. To ensure that the preventative role is sustained, the study has also recommended that there be some deliberate inculcation of the belief system in the young ones in society over a period through all the socialization systems like schools, churches and the family. The retention of the practice is purely to regulate children’s' behaviors.
Table of Contents
Chapter One - Introduction
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Background to the Study
1.3 Shamva District
1.4 Mazowe District
1.5 Statement of the Problem
1.6 Objectives
1.7 Research Questions
1.8 Structure of the Whole Report
1.9 Summary
Chapter Two - Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Indigenous Knowledge
2.3 Taboos
2.4 The Shona People’s Beliefs about Taboos.
2.5 The Zezuru, Taboos and Conflict Resolution
2.6 African Community Living
2.7 Important Traditional Institutions
2.7.1 Public Shrines
2.7.2 The Elderly
2.7.3 Children
2.7.4 Names
2.7.5 Songs
2.8 Traditional Leaders
2.9 Culture
2.10 Some Types of Taboos
2.10.1 Food Taboos
2.10.2 Health Taboos
2.10.3 Environmental Taboos
2.10.4 Unhu-Enforcing Taboos
2.10.5 Death Taboos
2.10.6 Safety Taboos
2.11 Social Control
2.12 Challenges Facing Taboos
2.13 Conflict Prevention
2.14 Conflict Transformation
2.15 African Traditional Religion (ATR)
2.16 Ubuntu/Unhu/Humanity
2.17 Superstition
2.18 Exorcism
2.19 Avenging Spirits
2.20 Case Studies of Avenging Spirits
2.21 Totems
2.22 Globalisation
2.23 Roots of Conflicts
2.24 Conflicts in Africa
2.25 Elections and Violence
2.26 Human Rights
2.27 Youth in Decision-Making
2.28 Conflicts in Zimbabwe
2.29 Ideology
2.30 Victims
2.31 Offenders
2.32 Agency Concept
2.33 Women and Violence
2.34 Alternative Endogenous Dispute Resolution (AEDR)
2.35 Restorative Justice
2.36 The Rwandese ‘Gacaca’
2.37 Ugandan ‘Mato Oput’
2.38 Mozambique ‘Kimbanda’
2.39 ‘Nyono Tong Gweno’
2.40 Others
2.41 Sustainability of Traditional African Systems
2.42 Reconciling Traditional Systems with Modernity
2.43 Role of Christianity in Conflicts and Conflict Resolution
2.44 Role of Political Parties in Conflicts and Conflict Resolution
2.45 Women in the Crisis
2.46 Summary
Chapter Three - Methodology
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 Objectives
3.1.2 Questions
3.2 Research Design
3.3 Qualitative Research
3.3.1 Rationale for Using Qualitative Method
3.4 Grounded Theory
3.5 Data Collection Methods
3.5.1 Interviews
3.5.1.1 Rationale for Using Interviews
3.5.2 Focus Group Discussion
3.5.2.1 Application of FGDs
3.5.2.1.2 Rational for Using FGD
3.6 Target Population
3.7 Sampling
3.7.1 Snowball Method
3.7.2 Emergent Sampling Method
3.8 Principal Investigator
3.9 Data Sources
3.10 Data Collection
3.11 Limitations
3.12 Delimitations
3.13 Analysis and Interpretation
3.13.1 Application of Content Analysis Method
3.13.1.2 Rational For Using Content Analysis
3.13.2 NVIVO Analysis
3.14 Reliability and Validity
3.15 Ethical Considerations
3.16 Summary
Chapter Four - Theoretical Framework
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Deterrence Theory of Punishment
4.2.1 Implications of the Deterrence Theory of Punishment to the Study
4.2.2 Structural-Functional Theory
4.2.3 Implications of the Structural-Functional Theory to the Current Study
4.3 Conceptual Framework
4.4 Summary
Chapter Five - Results Presentation and Discussion
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Exploration Survey Results Presentation
5.3 Research Proper Results Presentation
5.4 Interviews
5.5 Mazowe District
5.6 Shamva
5.7 Identified Taboos from the Interviews
5.8 Taboos Social Role
5.9 Influence in Conflicts
5.10 Relevance of Taboos
5.11 How Taboos can be Either Embraced or Discarded from the Society
5.12 Focus Group Discussions
5.13 Mazowe
5.14 Shamva
5.15 Analysis of Data
5.16 Most Cited Taboos
5.17 Most Cited Reasons for the Erosion of Taboos
5.18 Most Cited Conflict Types
5.19 Most Used Gestures and Expressions
5.20 Interpretation of Data
5.20.1 Identification of Taboos
5.20.2 Appreciation of Taboos
5.20.3 Roles of Taboos
5.20.4 Other Themes
5.20.5 Re-Generation of Taboos (Way Forward)
5.20.6 Other Issues
5.21 Hypothesis Analysis
5.22 Summary
Chapter Six - Conclusion and Recommendations
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Conclusion
6.3 Recommendations
6.4 Areas for Further Research
6.5 Summary
Objectives and Research Themes
This research aims to explore the role of traditional taboo systems as a mechanism for restraining political conflicts and violence in the Mazowe and Shamva districts of Zimbabwe post-independence. The central research question investigates whether these traditional beliefs, traditionally used for social policing, retain relevance in a modern, globalized environment, or if they have been eroded to the extent that they no longer effectively deter violent behavior.
- The role of traditional taboos in modern conflict restraint.
- The influence of globalization and modernization on traditional belief systems.
- Methods for integrating traditional values into modern conflict resolution frameworks.
- The impact of political violence on the erosion of traditional community norms.
- The relationship between traditional leadership, morality, and social order.
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1.1 Introduction
A taboo is a system or an act of setting apart a person, an object, or a place as sacred to achieve conservation, respect and continuity. Since time immemorial, in the African traditional set-ups, people have always respected and adhered to these taboos. Taboos were meant to regulate the behaviours of people, help conserve natural resources and environment and respect the existence of other creatures. The study therefore seeks to explore the role that the taboo systems play in political conflicts in Zimbabwe. Precisely, the two districts under study are known to be ardent believers in traditional practices; the purpose of this study becomes therefore to establish their roles and whether the traditional practices are still relevant especially in view of the advent of contemporary approaches. Most of the political conflicts are experienced during election periods: pre, during and post-election phases. The pre-election period is defined by the presidential pronouncement of the election campaign and when the Nomination Court accepts names of all contestants. The study specifically focuses on Mazowe and Shamva districts in Mashonaland Central province post-independence.
Globalisation effects generally point to a gradual shift of cultures and traditions to a more diluted end. It is against this belief that most traditional beliefs and norms have been eroded by modernity and therefore no-longer effective that the research seeks to establish how much of the effect of taboos was eroded that people were no-longer afraid of committing crimes including killing, raping, robbing and maiming and going against societal norms.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter One - Introduction: This chapter introduces the study's focus on traditional taboos as a conflict restraint mechanism in Zimbabwe, defining the problem, research objectives, and the scope of the study within the Mazowe and Shamva districts.
Chapter Two - Literature Review: This chapter examines existing literature on indigenous knowledge, taboos, and conflict resolution theories, setting the context for how cultural systems intersect with modern governance and political violence.
Chapter Three - Methodology: This chapter details the technical and philosophical approach taken in the study, explaining the qualitative methods, data collection tools (interviews and focus groups), and the use of Grounded Theory.
Chapter Four - Theoretical Framework: This chapter discusses the theoretical foundations of the research, focusing primarily on the Deterrence Theory of Punishment and the Structural-Functional theory to guide the analysis.
Chapter Five - Results Presentation and Discussion: This chapter presents the data gathered from the field, providing a thematic analysis of the roles, relevance, and erosion of taboos in the context of political conflicts.
Chapter Six - Conclusion and Recommendations: This chapter synthesizes the research findings to offer conclusions and practical recommendations for revitalizing traditional systems in modern conflict prevention.
Keywords
Taboos, Conflict Restraint, Zimbabwe, Mazowe District, Shamva District, Political Violence, Traditional Leadership, Indigenous Knowledge, Social Control, Modernization, Globalisation, Ngozi, Peace-building, Conflict Resolution, Culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research explores whether traditional taboo systems, which were historically used for social regulation and conflict prevention in African communities, still function effectively to restrain political violence in the Mazowe and Shamva districts of Zimbabwe.
What are the central thematic areas?
The study investigates the nature of traditional taboos, the influence of modernization and globalization on these beliefs, the nexus between traditional beliefs and political conflict, and the possibilities for integrating these systems into contemporary peace-building efforts.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The main objective is to identify which taboos are currently in use as conflict restraint apparatus, analyze how they relate to Western conflict approaches, and evaluate their overall effectiveness in modern Zimbabwean society.
Which research methodologies were employed?
The study utilizes a qualitative research paradigm, primarily employing in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and archival research, interpreted through Grounded Theory and the Deterrence Theory of Punishment.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body reviews relevant literature on indigenous knowledge, provides a detailed methodology, presents a theoretical framework based on deterrence, and offers a comprehensive presentation and discussion of empirical results from the targeted districts.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
The work is best characterized by terms like Taboos, Conflict Restraint, Zimbabwe, Political Violence, Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Leadership, and Peace-building.
How do traditional beliefs interact with political violence?
The study finds that while traditional taboos historically deterred harmful actions through fear of supernatural consequences (like avenging spirits or 'ngozi'), political violence and the pressures of modern, polarized political environments have significantly eroded these traditional safeguards.
Can these traditional systems be modernized?
The author recommends that while re-inventing traditional systems in their original form may be difficult, there is potential for "re-engineering" or "sustained inculcation" of these values through family-based socialisation and the inclusion of traditional concepts in school curricula.
What is the significance of the "avenging spirits" or 'ngozi' mentioned in the study?
'Ngozi' represents a profound spiritual and traditional belief in the Shona culture, where the spirit of a person murdered or wronged seeks retribution. The study highlights how this belief still causes significant trauma and prompts conflict resolution (such as compensation) even in contemporary, often politicized, violence cases.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Obediah Dodo (Autor:in), 2016, Taboo Systems as a Conflict Restraint in the Political Feud in Zimbabwe. An Exploration of Mazowe and Shamva districts, post independence, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/378630
