International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Imparting Unhu/Ubuntu and Spirituality through Shona Novels: A Case for Masvingo Urban Schools

Viriri Eunitah & Marashe J

Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe

Abstract: – This paper examined the various spiritual values of unhu reflected in Patrick Chakaipa and Charles Mungoshi’s novels Pfumo Reropa and Kunyarara Hakusi Kutaura? respectively. It mainly focused on the extent to which Shona literature, novels, in particular, can be used to promote in learners the religious beliefs and practices which have succumbed to acculturation. This qualitative study employed textual analysis by researchers and teachers and interviews with teachers. Afrocentricity and unhu conceptualisation informed the study. It was established that the two novels which fall into the old and new world respectively, contain important lessons with regard to cultural values that characterise the Shona religious life. Virtues established include respect for spirits and God, deep respect for religious beliefs and practices, participation in religious practices and application of moral lessons learnt from those practices. Findings indicated that not only novels on pre-colonial life experiences portray the traditional religious values but those set in the neo-colonial are also custodians of the community ideals. The study, therefore, concluded Shona novels can be used in the promotion of unhu spiritual values among Shona learners. It, however, recommends careful selection of novels into the syllabus so that the religious aspect of life is fully taken care of.

Keywords: Unhu/Ubuntu, spirituality, cultural values, derogatory terms, moral lessons, old/new world novels

I. INTRODUCTION

The African traditional religious landscape is one cultural area that suffered heavily by the introduction of foreign Christian beliefs and doctrines. Africans have been lured into believing that their indigenous religion is heathen(evil). In fact, early researchers of African Traditional Religion (ATR) described that religion using derogatory terms such as fetish, barbaric, animism, ancestor worship and several others. The net effect of such descriptors was such that the African people were hoodwinked to think that their religion is not worthy to believe, hence, pursuing the foreign belief systems, culture and practices became the norm. The Shona, just like other Africans tend to forget that their traditional values characterise and define them as people. In traditional Shona societies, daily practices were guided by indigenous religious beliefs.