Traditional Practices as a Mechanism for Promoting Peace in Zimunya Rural Area, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study sought to analyze the role and effectiveness of traditional practices and institutions as mechanisms for dispute management and conflict resolution in Zimunya Rural Area. A sample of seventy-eight (78) participants comprising fifty (50) household heads, and three (3) focus groups consisting of six (6) church members of Johanne Masowe weChishanu Church, six (6) village elders, six (6) youths and 10 traditional leaders were selected as research participants using convenience and purposive sampling methods. The participants were selected from Wards 5, 6 and 15 of Zimunya Rural Area in Mutare South Constituency. The ten (10) traditional leaders consisted of the chief, four headmen and five village heads who were interviewed as key informants. Data was collected through face to face interviews, group discussion and direct observation. Qualitative research design was used because it provided the researcher with a depth understanding of how people interact with their social world. Literature was also reviewed to provide more information on how traditional practices and institutions help in promoting peace among rural communities. The study identified the traditional practices used in dispute resolution in this rural area. In addition, the study has assessed the effectiveness of traditional institutions in promoting peace in society. The study showed that though the traditional methods of resolving conflicts and promoting peace are still intact, westernization and modernization are slowly eroding the effectiveness of these practices. Some of the villagers are no longer following these traditional practices. Although some villagers are disregarding some of the traditional practices, the traditional leaders remain intact in upholding the traditional practices. For instance, they have traditional courts where they settle disputes associated with people and make sure that all the people are cultivating a perpetual or everlasting good relationship among themselves so as to guarantee peace. The traditional leaders also brew beer for the spirit of the dead person (svitsa) in order to promote peace between the living and the spirits of the earth. The study submitted that even though the traditional leaders are doing well by resolving disputes among the people, they have a slight weakness because they involve in bribery and misappropriation of donation which is supposed to help the poor, orphans and crippled people as a result conflicts and disputes are rampant in this rural area. The culprits pay money to the traditional leaders in order to make the cases ignored by the traditional leaders leading to conflicts and violence. This shows the level of bribery associated with them. The research concluded that although traditional practices are necessary in dispute resolution and management there are other traditional practices that cause conflicts and violence. These include accusing people of witchcraft and divining the cause of someone’s death to the traditional healers (kushopera mufi). Divination done by people in Zimunya rural area breeds violence and division as families and neighbors are accused of bewitching the others. The research recommends that traditional leaders should improve their leadership in order to promote good governance which lays the foundation for peace.