Perceptive of Respecting Cultural Diversities in Zimbabwe

By Simbarashe Mudhokwani

The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, meeting in Paris from 3 to 21 October 2005 at its 33rd session affirmed that cultural diversity is the defining characteristics of humanity. In ratifying the 2005 UNESCO Convention 68% of African countries including Zimbabwe have agreed and signed the Convention. There are a number of questions around the subject of cultural identities, practices, rituals and cultural diversities of humanity that need clarity.  Who best could unpack more details on the subject?

Over the years, Zimbabwe has had a number of ethnic groups from other countries coming into the country. These diverse cultural groups of people brought in with them their cultural practices and rituals. Different historical experiences of migrant Malawians, Zambians and Mozambique during the colonial and post colonial era noticed diverse racial and tribal groups moving and settling in farms doted around the country. The Nyau or Gule Wamukulu and its ritual practices initiated to be practiced. In today’s current date these cultural practices together with other rituals are strongly adept and anchored in practice. These foreign cultures, rituals and practices which came into the country, should they also be regarded as part of the Zimbabwe’s cultural diversities? Do they deserve respect as cultural diversities that are Zimbabwean?

Gule Wamukulu, or the Nyau dances, Zezuru mbira music, Dinhe, Amabhiza dance from Matebeleland, and the Mbende Jerusarema dance which was declared an intangible world heritage master piece of humanity are some of the culturally practiced dances in Zimbabwe. Are these different cultural dances in their diverse forms receiving same treatment and acceptance as explained in the 2005 UNESCO Convention? Historically, the Nyau dance is believed of originating from the Chewa people from the then Zaire down to Zambia and Malawi. A number of migrants from other countries (Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi) came into Zimbabwe and there is even a continuation of many other ethnic groups which include Chinese and Somalians who are coming in through Mozambique. In short, apart from one known Gule culture, many other cultural groups are still trickling into Zimbabwe. Are the foreign cultural piece performances receiving the same treatment with other local ones that are believed to be Zimbabwean by origin?

Are all the diverse cultures of citizens and nationalities in Zimbabwe respected? Should those cultures from other countries be respected and placed under the same treatment together with Zimbabwean diverse cultures anyway? Does a cultural practice identified with a particular group of people best define people? If a Zimbabwean performs a foreign dance such a Nyau be defined within the context of that very cultural practice?

The 2005 UNESCO convention objective one states that “this Convention is to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions.” Should the dances of another country practiced in Zimbabwe also be protected and promoted use in Zimbabwe?

The 2005 Convention on the protection and promotion of the Diversity of Cultural expressions contain major highlights to the preservation and promotion of cultural diversities in Zimbabwe. There are many lessons which can be learnt from it hence the need to discuss and debate on the subject.

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