By
Elizabeth Duve Dziva
Elizabeth Duve Dziva
Just like death and its
aftermath, the question of dreams remains a mystery. It actually results in
more questions than answers. All the same, the subject is unavoidable since it
affects all humans across the globe, no matter our social status or race. This explains
why there is vast literature on that subject. Africans call sleep death’s
shadow (mumvuri worufu) or the image of death (mufananidzo worufu). There is a
belief that the soul leaves the sleeping body to roam and wander hence in that
case the body attains a state which is similar to death because the soul has
left it.
aftermath, the question of dreams remains a mystery. It actually results in
more questions than answers. All the same, the subject is unavoidable since it
affects all humans across the globe, no matter our social status or race. This explains
why there is vast literature on that subject. Africans call sleep death’s
shadow (mumvuri worufu) or the image of death (mufananidzo worufu). There is a
belief that the soul leaves the sleeping body to roam and wander hence in that
case the body attains a state which is similar to death because the soul has
left it.
Tackling such a subject
from a totally traditional African perspective in today’s modern and extremely
Christian world would draw negativity since almost everything traditional and cultural
is denounced either as demonic or primitive.
from a totally traditional African perspective in today’s modern and extremely
Christian world would draw negativity since almost everything traditional and cultural
is denounced either as demonic or primitive.
Biblically, so much
essence was attached to dreams as they were a way of communication between
Yahweh and men as well as a prediction of the future. In Genesis 37 verse 9-10,
Joseph had a dream of his family members’ sheaves and stars honouring his. This
signified that he was going to be a great man and it surely came to pass.
Joseph was also able to interpret a dream about a forthcoming drought resulting
to his release from prison by Pharaoh.
essence was attached to dreams as they were a way of communication between
Yahweh and men as well as a prediction of the future. In Genesis 37 verse 9-10,
Joseph had a dream of his family members’ sheaves and stars honouring his. This
signified that he was going to be a great man and it surely came to pass.
Joseph was also able to interpret a dream about a forthcoming drought resulting
to his release from prison by Pharaoh.
Actually, there are
uncountable cases of dreams which communicate or predicted something in the
Bible. In faith-based organisations like the African Apostolic Church, there is
a distinct group of anointed people called varoti.
Pastors and congregants in Pentecostal churches value and believe in dreams.
Hence the subject of dreams is essential to humanity despite religion.
uncountable cases of dreams which communicate or predicted something in the
Bible. In faith-based organisations like the African Apostolic Church, there is
a distinct group of anointed people called varoti.
Pastors and congregants in Pentecostal churches value and believe in dreams.
Hence the subject of dreams is essential to humanity despite religion.
From an African perspective,
dreams are brought by ancestors and less often also by alien spirits (mashavi).
Dreams are a way for the ancestors to encounter and have a direct conversation
with men. When the soul roams free at night, it has a special power which no
one can understand. One would regard the most high God and the ancestors as
blind watchmakers that give men bad dreams. In the same sense, one would
question why God created thorns, illness and all other things that cause pain.
dreams are brought by ancestors and less often also by alien spirits (mashavi).
Dreams are a way for the ancestors to encounter and have a direct conversation
with men. When the soul roams free at night, it has a special power which no
one can understand. One would regard the most high God and the ancestors as
blind watchmakers that give men bad dreams. In the same sense, one would
question why God created thorns, illness and all other things that cause pain.
From a scientific perspective,
dreams are a reproduction of one’s experiences and thoughts. They may reflect
desires or simply what’s at the back of one’s mind.
dreams are a reproduction of one’s experiences and thoughts. They may reflect
desires or simply what’s at the back of one’s mind.
Herbert Aschwaden says
in the state of being awake, the following statement applies “I know what I am,
(ndinoziva zvandiri)” but at night one says, “I don’t know what I am (handizivi
zvandiri)”. When asleep, the body is completely powerless but the soul has its
own consciousness. From an African perspective, the ego of the night and that
of the day are totally different. The difference comes in that, during the day,
a person uses the heart or brain and is in control of what happens but at night,
and a man puts no effort in his dreams which makes the whole idea a mystery.
in the state of being awake, the following statement applies “I know what I am,
(ndinoziva zvandiri)” but at night one says, “I don’t know what I am (handizivi
zvandiri)”. When asleep, the body is completely powerless but the soul has its
own consciousness. From an African perspective, the ego of the night and that
of the day are totally different. The difference comes in that, during the day,
a person uses the heart or brain and is in control of what happens but at night,
and a man puts no effort in his dreams which makes the whole idea a mystery.
The late former
president of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe once said “…..zviroto, zviroto” which
brings about an element that dreams have nothing to do with what happens in the
real world. Perspectives about dreams and their meanings vary according to a
variety of aspects. From an African perspective, symbols of death in dreams
include when one sees himself or with others tilling, ploughing or digging the
earth. Breaking of a ceramic or clay objet represents family breakup or divorce.
Dreaming of the rain, flowing water or a green field symbolizes health and long
life. When one is flying or climbing a mountain, it signifies a good fortune or
becoming great in life.
president of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe once said “…..zviroto, zviroto” which
brings about an element that dreams have nothing to do with what happens in the
real world. Perspectives about dreams and their meanings vary according to a
variety of aspects. From an African perspective, symbols of death in dreams
include when one sees himself or with others tilling, ploughing or digging the
earth. Breaking of a ceramic or clay objet represents family breakup or divorce.
Dreaming of the rain, flowing water or a green field symbolizes health and long
life. When one is flying or climbing a mountain, it signifies a good fortune or
becoming great in life.
Conclusively, dreams
are given many layered and complex meanings but the million dollar question is
what really are they? The mystery surrounding dreams remains unresolved and a
controversy over generation.
are given many layered and complex meanings but the million dollar question is
what really are they? The mystery surrounding dreams remains unresolved and a
controversy over generation.
Elizabeth
Duve Dziva is an Archaeologist and Cultural Heritage practitioner. The views in
this article are solely hers and do not represent those of any organization.
Email du***********@gm***.com
Duve Dziva is an Archaeologist and Cultural Heritage practitioner. The views in
this article are solely hers and do not represent those of any organization.
Email du***********@gm***.com
