Elizabeth Duve Dziva
The subject of
totemism is very wide, complex and normally results in more questions than
answers. The topic still remains necessary and worthy of an exploration so as
to have a clearer understanding of how we have been ignorant or rather
reluctant to preserve and conserve this very essential part of us.
totemism is very wide, complex and normally results in more questions than
answers. The topic still remains necessary and worthy of an exploration so as
to have a clearer understanding of how we have been ignorant or rather
reluctant to preserve and conserve this very essential part of us.
From a general
perspective, a totem (mutupo/isibongo) is a natural object, animal, plant or
bird assumed as the emblem of a person, clan, family or group and gives a sense
of identity.
perspective, a totem (mutupo/isibongo) is a natural object, animal, plant or
bird assumed as the emblem of a person, clan, family or group and gives a sense
of identity.
Connotatively,
totems are the symbolic significance of a being, an icon that we can turn to
for various essential reminders. Among the various legends accounting for the
origins of totemism, one has it that upon realising that they were multiplying
at an alarming rate, our Bantu forefathers chose emblems which even after
migration and expansion would help them identify their kinsmen. The choice of a
totem was guided by a survival instinct or otherwise the chosen creature would
be of some importance to their survival in the clan.
totems are the symbolic significance of a being, an icon that we can turn to
for various essential reminders. Among the various legends accounting for the
origins of totemism, one has it that upon realising that they were multiplying
at an alarming rate, our Bantu forefathers chose emblems which even after
migration and expansion would help them identify their kinsmen. The choice of a
totem was guided by a survival instinct or otherwise the chosen creature would
be of some importance to their survival in the clan.
Totems are of
religious, historical and biological importance to individuals. Back then, so
strong were the beliefs in totemism unlike today when people of the same totem
marry, the deeper meaning of (kudya mutupo). In our culture that is considered
as incestuous since people of the same totem are of the same bloodline.
Punishments for such an acts ranged from paying a plain white cow called
chekaukama to cutting a finger or in acute situations, death. Not only is
marrying a person of the same totem a cultural abomination but also biologically
disapproved since there will not be genetic variation with consequences that
can be best explained by biologists. Hence, it is very important for
individuals before dating or engaging into serious courtship to know their
partners’ totems.
religious, historical and biological importance to individuals. Back then, so
strong were the beliefs in totemism unlike today when people of the same totem
marry, the deeper meaning of (kudya mutupo). In our culture that is considered
as incestuous since people of the same totem are of the same bloodline.
Punishments for such an acts ranged from paying a plain white cow called
chekaukama to cutting a finger or in acute situations, death. Not only is
marrying a person of the same totem a cultural abomination but also biologically
disapproved since there will not be genetic variation with consequences that
can be best explained by biologists. Hence, it is very important for
individuals before dating or engaging into serious courtship to know their
partners’ totems.
Today, very few
individuals can recite their praise poems yet they are not aware that totems do
not only carry a deep religious meaning but often carry important historical
information about a certain clan. Thus, totems are very essential sources of
history. Culture, history, identity and personality are intertwined. We should
always bear in mind that this world and everything about it does not belong to
us but to the generations ahead of us, hence there is no need to shy away from
such aspects of culture like totems. We must not deprive our successors of an
important aspect of identity by bringing to extinction something that we, as
the present generation, never invented. Let us avoid carrying the never-ending
blame of destroying such practices like totemism for they give one spiritual,
emotional and intellectual distinction.
individuals can recite their praise poems yet they are not aware that totems do
not only carry a deep religious meaning but often carry important historical
information about a certain clan. Thus, totems are very essential sources of
history. Culture, history, identity and personality are intertwined. We should
always bear in mind that this world and everything about it does not belong to
us but to the generations ahead of us, hence there is no need to shy away from
such aspects of culture like totems. We must not deprive our successors of an
important aspect of identity by bringing to extinction something that we, as
the present generation, never invented. Let us avoid carrying the never-ending
blame of destroying such practices like totemism for they give one spiritual,
emotional and intellectual distinction.
Though it varies
according to individual beliefs, totems are of religious significance, it works
for others for it all comes back to what one thinks and believes.
Traditionally, it has always been believed that an individual carries the
traits of his or her totem, most applicable to animal totems.
according to individual beliefs, totems are of religious significance, it works
for others for it all comes back to what one thinks and believes.
Traditionally, it has always been believed that an individual carries the
traits of his or her totem, most applicable to animal totems.
Coster Manyowa
points that even Jesus Christ had a totem (Lion of Judah). Our Zimbabwe is a
multi-tribal country but it is very essential to note that those are just
dialects but we are one, with the same totems expressed in different languages
since we are of the Bantu origin. Some of the totems include the Lion (Shumba/Sibanda)
which has various classifications like Jichidza, Shumba Garwe, Shumba Murambwi,
Shumba Mhazi, Shumba Tembo. There is also the heart (Moyo) classified into
Chirandu and Zuruvi, the elephant (Zhou), the zebra (Dhuve/Dube), the pool
(Dziva), fish eagle (Hungwe), the pig or wild boar (Humba), cattle leg (Gumbo),
the eland (Mhofu) the buffalo (Nyathi), the monkey (Shoko), the porcupine (Ngara),
Impala (Mhara), the Sheep (Gwai), the mice (Mbeva), the fire (Moto), the ant
(Ishwa), the cow (Nkomo) among others. It is essential for us to be able to recite
our praise poems and those of our spouses hence passing the cultural practice
to our descendants.
points that even Jesus Christ had a totem (Lion of Judah). Our Zimbabwe is a
multi-tribal country but it is very essential to note that those are just
dialects but we are one, with the same totems expressed in different languages
since we are of the Bantu origin. Some of the totems include the Lion (Shumba/Sibanda)
which has various classifications like Jichidza, Shumba Garwe, Shumba Murambwi,
Shumba Mhazi, Shumba Tembo. There is also the heart (Moyo) classified into
Chirandu and Zuruvi, the elephant (Zhou), the zebra (Dhuve/Dube), the pool
(Dziva), fish eagle (Hungwe), the pig or wild boar (Humba), cattle leg (Gumbo),
the eland (Mhofu) the buffalo (Nyathi), the monkey (Shoko), the porcupine (Ngara),
Impala (Mhara), the Sheep (Gwai), the mice (Mbeva), the fire (Moto), the ant
(Ishwa), the cow (Nkomo) among others. It is essential for us to be able to recite
our praise poems and those of our spouses hence passing the cultural practice
to our descendants.
Not knowing who
we are is our doom and the curse of black humanity. Let us not be blindly
ashamed of a very important part of us, for our sake and for the love of
infinite generations ahead of us.
we are is our doom and the curse of black humanity. Let us not be blindly
ashamed of a very important part of us, for our sake and for the love of
infinite generations ahead of us.
The writer is an
archaeological and cultural heritage practitioner. The views expressed in this
article are entirely those of the writer and do not necessarily represent any
organisation.
archaeological and cultural heritage practitioner. The views expressed in this
article are entirely those of the writer and do not necessarily represent any
organisation.
Contact: duveelizabeth2gmail.com
