A key addition to African thought
THERE are many features of Shona and Ndebele cultures, especially language, that have fallen off over time because they were never recorded.
The wealth that Shona and Ndebele, as well as many other indigenous languages, possess is invaluable. As such, it needs to be well- preserved.
Australia-based Reverend Gift Makwasha has not limited himself to the pulpit but has decided to archive, through writing, some of the new proverbs that have emerged in the two major local languages in his latest offering “Njere Dzemuchenjeri/Ubuhlakaniphi Besihlakaniphi” (The Wisdom of the Wise).
A former rector of St Peter’s Anglican Church in Mabelreign, Makwasha has an interest in writing, as he also has the following publications to his name: “Repression, Resistance and Revival of the Ancestor Cult in the Shona Churches of Zimbabwe”; “Higher Education; The Key to Your Elevation” and “Mount Inyangani”.
He has made an important contribution towards the immortalisation of local culture and languages, which have been facing the twin onslaught of Anglicisation of educational materials, as well as adoption of foreign cultural traits.
Traditional folklore has often been a source book for several scholars and writers. Rev Makwasha joins the likes of Aaron C. Hodza in documenting bits of African folklore.
Hodza came up with written versions of “ngano” (folktales) and Zimbabwean praise poetry.
Rev Makwasha presents both Shona and Ndebele proverbs and then gives an English explanation or summary of the saying.
The compilation also shows the diversity of Zimbabwean communities, both resident in the country and abroad.
Traditionally, the elderly performed the role of teaching the younger generations facets of the Zimbabwean oral tradition.
Survival of this wealth of knowledge was ensured because generations passed it on to each other.
“The genre of Shona and Ndebele proverbs invites the reader to reflect on the unifying potential of languages in the creation of a stable democracy in which traditional
African values guide and inspire the present and next generations alike,” observes Melusi Sibanda in the book’s introduction.
The publication reminds readers of the centrality of hunhu/ubuntu in traditional African thought.
Rev Makwasha’s book takes over the role of the traditional community elder and will keep the knowledge forms safe from natural erosion as globalisation takes root.
His work is an addition to an existing rich collection in both Shona and Ndebele, as well as other indigenous languages.
The project also provides future generations with an opportunity to come up with other proverbs and wise sayings, which will be consistent with the obtaining cultural dynamics.
Veteran journalist John Masuku admits the writer’s contribution is invaluable.
“So here is another ‘wisdom manual’ which will preserve our Shona and Ndebele languages and cultures with the motivation to have it in other official tongues recognised by the Zimbabwean Constitution,” he said.
It is important that these publications are given forms that are friendly to younger generations, a development that will not make them look down upon indigenous languages and cultures.
This book will, no doubt, be an important reference work for scholars who care to interrogate the importance of traditional knowledge forms.