Uncle Enock & wife (April 2009)One that has been exposed to Christian principles will find sooner or later that their Christian beliefs clash with certain cultural beliefs. Such was the experience of my young sister Catherine and I when we tavelled to Mutoko in Zambia in April. This trip was made after the death of our beloved mum in March 2009. We were travelling to escort Aunty Jescah who had come when mum was still ill and eventually died. Also with us on the trip were my cousins Rosa and Chenai who had come from Harare after the funeral to be with us. The journey to Mutoko started from Lusaka to Harare using a bus from Lusaka Intercity bus terminus. The journey took about 8 hours. Chenai’s husband Mr. Mukumbira and my nephew Simbarashe, were on hand to receive us at the Harare Roadport Station, This is a well designed and neat international bus station. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing and preparing for the trip from Harare to Mutoko.
Travelling from Harare to Mutoko
The trip from Harare to Mutoko was made using a Mazada pickup. On this trip were Rosa, Chenai, Simbarashe, Muchi, Catherine and I. We refuelled in Harare. This time around fuel in Zimbabwe was readily available at a cost of 95 cents a litre. The official currency in Zimbabwe is US dollars and South African Rands. We bought some drinks and water and left for Mutoko at about midday. The driver was Simbarashe. A very good driver. Mutoko is about 200km from Harare. Mutoko is the town where my late mum hails from and where my aunty and uncle stay. In Mutoko town centre we met some of my cousins (Aunt Jescah’s children) for the first time. We had some lunch and left for Mutoko rural at about 15 00. We arrived at my aunties village at about 18 00 weary and hungry. We narrated how we had travelled and the events leading to mum’s death. After the discussions we had with our relations, it was agreed that we would have to go to my uncle’s village the following day about 2 hours drive away. We had some dinner and later we were shown where to lay our heads. I went to the home of my cousin Denford and his wife.
Cultural Clashes at Uncle’s Village
In the morning after making all preparations we headed for Uncle Enock’s village. We spent over 1 hour trying to cross a stream with the pickup we had as the tyres kept rolling back into the stream. We eventually arrived at Uncle Enock’s home after many twists and turns. We arrived to a chorus of wailing as word had already reached the village about mum’s death. We settled down and were greeted by people within the village and from nearby villages. The initial family discussions we had suggested that we were going to have a second funeral for mum. In this funeral, a coffin would be used and a stick placed inside to represent mum’s body. This was said to be necessary since my cousins had carried some soil from mum’s grave. This was quite worrisome to my sister and I. I remember as I was having a bath a few hours later praying that God would intervene in this matter. Somehow I was at peace he would and that when Uncle Enock came, he would not support having a second funeral. And that’s exactly what happened. Uncle Enock mentioned that it would not be fair to have another funeral as this had already been done in Lusaka and asking us to meet the funeral costs would be asking too much. This having been said we thought the matter had been put to rest. How wrong I was!
The following day another issue cropped up after one of our uncles from another village came. He asked if we had come with the traditional gifts (cooking stick and storage basket for grain) that dad was given when he married mum. We said no. Again uncle Enock came to our rescue when he mentioned that dad was not given any such gifts. He sent bride price by post. That settled matters! We were off the hook! No more cultural practices to contend with! It made me think on how tenaciously some hold on to cultural practices and yet don’t do as much to the Gospel teachings! It also made me appreciate that sometimes the right person in the right place at the right time saves a situation. Such a person was Uncle Enock, elder brother to my late mum. He once worked in then Northern Rhodesia in the Nkana now Kitwe in the 1960s and left after Zambia became independent. He can still speak Bemba up to now! He is a nice and friendly uncle who likes to be of help where he can. It was a privilege to be hosted in his village.
Enjoying Village Life
Not every time was tense in the village though. We had times of fun too! We enjoyed a cool dip and a bath in the nearby river. Such a welcome treat in the heat. We enjoyed meeting new relatives especially cousins for the first time. We also enjoyed the evening chatting by the fireside on stone crafted seats. Village life so simple, a welcome break from the stress of city life! Whenever I get stressed I remember my time in the village and want to go back!
Gabriel & Catherine with Uncle Enock and cousins in MutokoConcluding reflections
As we came back to Harare and eventually Lusaka, we realised that each culture in this case the Shona culture, has it’s own intricacies which one needs to know and be fully armed for. This is especially true during times of births, marriages and deaths. Being ignorant of certain cultural practices can make you ill prepared to react appropriately. In Zambia for instance, I would recommend people buying a copy of Dr. Chondoka’s book on Traditional Marriages in Zambia. I’ve found it helpful when helping some who are getting married.
It was good to meet a number of relatives for the first time. Albeit through mum's death. In Harare we met Pedzai (one of my cousins) and the husband. They were really so thrilled to meet us. And so were we. What a privilege to have a family on both sides of the Zambezi river!
Gabriel & Catherine with Pedzai & husband Teddy and son and niece Yola
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