By Elizabeth Duve Dziva
In the persistent pursuit of economic gains, Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage faces an unsettling clash with tourism. This is coupled with the spread of Christianity, which is continuously posing the risk of overshadowing the spiritual essence of heritage sites. Science, explaining almost everything, adds to the conflict. At this juncture, we can’t help but quote one Zimbabwean Folklorist who says, ‘Science explains the rain, but can it explain the tears of the spirits when their altars are empty?” Unusual signs at cultural sites hint at a silent discord, calm skies defy expectations. In this clash, there is real need for reflection on the true cost of progress and the irreplaceable value of our sacred grounds.
Christianity, embraced widely across Zimbabwe, is not criticized, but the unintended consequences of its influence are undeniable. As churches proliferate, the spiritual essence of cultural heritage sites, once a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s identity, faces neglect. Today’s Christians tend to dismiss everything cultural as demonic. The clash is not against faith but a plea to remember the sacred value embedded in these cultural tapestries.
On the other hand, science plays a role, explaining climate changes while the skies above remain eerily calm. The absence of rain, once intricately tied to spiritual practices, raises an essential question, is the discord between culture and progress contributing to nature’s uneasy silence? We turn sacred places into playgrounds, then wonder why the earth forgets to dance.
From the iconic Great Zimbabwe to the serene Matopos Hills, tales of discontent whisper through unusual signs. The talking drum at Matopos, silent for the first time, echoes the unheard grievances of ancestral spirits. Strange lights dance over Chinamhora’s sacred pools, unsettling the ancient spirits who once found comfort in their reflective depths. Animals flee ancestral shrines, leaving behind an eerie silence that reverberates through the once vibrant landscapes. These are not mere coincidences, but whispers of a harmony slowly fading away. Elders claim the wind whispers warnings in languages long forgotten, urging a return to the cultural roots now endangered.
Great Zimbabwe, an iconic site, with imposing stone ruins, holds historical and spiritual significance for the Shona people. However, disrespectful behaviour and inappropriate dressing by tourists have strained the delicate balance. In 2015, traditional leaders temporarily closed the site to address these concerns. One Shona elder said, “Our ancestors whisper from these stones, but the tourists only hear the clinking of their own coins.” Matopo Hills, a sacred burial ground for the Ndebele people, grapples with the disruption caused by tourism. Despite economic benefits, traditional leaders and communities feel exploited, and sacred rituals are at risk. Manyanga Hill (Ntaba zi ka Mambo), a site traditionally used for rainmaking ceremonies, faced conflict when designated a National Monument. The community felt their spiritual practices were restricted, leading to prolonged legal battles, of course one man’s monument was another man’s shrine- a clash of values. Domboshava Caves, sacred to various Shona communities, witness an increase in tourist traffic, raising concerns about damage to the fragile ecosystem.
This is not a call to shun progress, nor to demonize faith. It is a plea to remember. To remember that the whispers of the stones matter, the wisdom of elders deserves respect, and the rhythm of the land cannot be drowned out by the clink of coins or the pronouncements of progress. In these sacred spaces, let us tread softly, listen intently, and rediscover the language of the land, for therein lies not just the soul of Zimbabwe, but perhaps, the key to unlocking the heavens once more.
Elizabeth Duve Dziva is a Cultural Heritage Practitioner and an English teacher at some school under the African sky. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely the owner’s and do not represent any organisation. Email: du***********@gm***.com, WhatsApp – +263771661813
