Cultural and social development
Culture Universals
Additional Resources
This is a link to a web page called Our Africa and this page is great for kids to learn the different aspects of the culture of Zimbabwe through easy to navigate categories and in each category is video.
http://www.our-africa.org/zimbabwe
This is another link that is great at giving many details of each cultural universals in Zimbabwe.
http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Zimbabwe.html
http://www.our-africa.org/zimbabwe
This is another link that is great at giving many details of each cultural universals in Zimbabwe.
http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Zimbabwe.html
Game in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is also known for its abundance of big game in its legal hunting grounds. This photo gives information about hunting areas in Zimbabwe and of its game reserves which are mostly open to the public to see the diverse wildlife in Zimbabwe.
The element of cultural that this image represents will fall under is Economics and it is an example of distribution. Many people from all over the world travel to Zimbabwe in order to hunt big game and in result of the desire of Zimbabwe's game weapons, gear, and the game from hunts becomes distributed through the economy, bringing in income for the country.
Africa Hunting (2014). Zimbabwe hunting areas.http://www.africahunting.com/hunting-africa/1780-zimbabwe-campfire-programs.html
The element of cultural that this image represents will fall under is Economics and it is an example of distribution. Many people from all over the world travel to Zimbabwe in order to hunt big game and in result of the desire of Zimbabwe's game weapons, gear, and the game from hunts becomes distributed through the economy, bringing in income for the country.
Africa Hunting (2014). Zimbabwe hunting areas.http://www.africahunting.com/hunting-africa/1780-zimbabwe-campfire-programs.html
development over time
In these next images shows changes in Zimbabwe over time, compared to the United States, in areas such as economy, population, and health. In the first image the GDP in Zimbabwe is not as high as compared to the United States throughout the entire time frame set in the graph. Looking at Zimbabwe alone in the first image we can see that the GDP continually grows over time but then when the trail of the blue bubbles drops so does the GDP. In the second image the number of people age 60+ is less compared to the United States but gradually over time Zimbabwe did start to have more people lifespans expand. The expanding of a lifespan can be due to healthier conditions in medicine or living styles. In the last image the infant mortality rate for both countries the mortality rate is significantly lower than the initial bubble, United States always having a smaller mortality rate than Zimbabwe. In the last image, even though the the infant mortality rate is lower than it is in 2012 than in 1950 there are times the number fluctuates, especially when there is the drop in the blue bubbles (Zimbabwe).
The images are graphs of development throughout the world using Gapminder.
The images are graphs of development throughout the world using Gapminder.
- In order to access more information about Zimbabwe go to http://www.gapminder.org/world/
faith in Zimbabwe
There are two main religions that the Zimbabwe people are grouped into; Shona religion and traditional Christianity. While the majority of Zimbabwe identifies themselves as Christian, 80%, many people still identify with the traditional religion of Shona. Shona religion originates in Zimbabwe the same time that the Shona people traveled to and established Great Zimbabwe. The time that Christianity began to make its mark in Zimbabwe can be traced to the 1500s when it was brought by the Portuguese and Jesuit priest. Even though Shona religion and Christianity was introduced to Zimbabwe land at different times both had its origins in Great Zimbabwe.
While most of the people of Zimbabwe identify themselves as Christians the Shona religion still has a great influence in the culture. For example in medicine and health care there is still evidence of the Shona religion. The government officially recognizes ZINATHA (Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association) as a constitution along with departments of education and research. Traditional healers, N’angas, use herbal remedies and are seen not only for their political and religious powers but for their healing as well. The reason for the acceptance for ZINATHA by the government is because they are the primary source for medicine.
The main place that was seen as a sacred place for the Shona religion was Great Zimbabwe, the center of life before the introduction of Christianity. Another traditional place that was seen as sacred to the Shona religion was the Njelele Shrine. The Njelele Shrine was a place for elders to consult of their problems in their communities. Today, the Njelele Shrine is not seen as much of a sacred place anymore because of the pull of Christianity.
The major connection between religion and the government can be seen with acceptance of ZINATHA, even though traditional religion in Zimbabwe is not the dominating religion. The fact that ZINATHA is recognized it is evident to see the influence of the traditional Shona religion in the government. Another way to see the traditional Shona religion’s influence is that people consult in N’angas not just for healing but in politics as well. Any religion no matter how many followers will have influence in the government.
It is fascinating to see the influence of religion in government. Even though here in the United States there is separation of government and religion, religion will always leak into government. One of the reasons religion has an influence is because of the fact that everyone believes in something. Even if a person believes that there is no greater being, peoples’ beliefs will have a role in their decisions. If a person is in government then their decisions are sometimes influenced by their involvement or lack of involvement in religion. For Zimbabwe, Shona religion will always have an influence as long as a person sees its importance.
While most of the people of Zimbabwe identify themselves as Christians the Shona religion still has a great influence in the culture. For example in medicine and health care there is still evidence of the Shona religion. The government officially recognizes ZINATHA (Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association) as a constitution along with departments of education and research. Traditional healers, N’angas, use herbal remedies and are seen not only for their political and religious powers but for their healing as well. The reason for the acceptance for ZINATHA by the government is because they are the primary source for medicine.
The main place that was seen as a sacred place for the Shona religion was Great Zimbabwe, the center of life before the introduction of Christianity. Another traditional place that was seen as sacred to the Shona religion was the Njelele Shrine. The Njelele Shrine was a place for elders to consult of their problems in their communities. Today, the Njelele Shrine is not seen as much of a sacred place anymore because of the pull of Christianity.
The major connection between religion and the government can be seen with acceptance of ZINATHA, even though traditional religion in Zimbabwe is not the dominating religion. The fact that ZINATHA is recognized it is evident to see the influence of the traditional Shona religion in the government. Another way to see the traditional Shona religion’s influence is that people consult in N’angas not just for healing but in politics as well. Any religion no matter how many followers will have influence in the government.
It is fascinating to see the influence of religion in government. Even though here in the United States there is separation of government and religion, religion will always leak into government. One of the reasons religion has an influence is because of the fact that everyone believes in something. Even if a person believes that there is no greater being, peoples’ beliefs will have a role in their decisions. If a person is in government then their decisions are sometimes influenced by their involvement or lack of involvement in religion. For Zimbabwe, Shona religion will always have an influence as long as a person sees its importance.
food!!
Sadza is the national dish of Zimbabwe which is normally made with maze, an imported crop but is now the most commonly used by indigenous people.
Sadza ne Nyama ye Huku
(Sadza with Chicken Stew)
by Solomon Murungu Chicken Stew Ingredients: (5 adults Serving)
Mealie-Meal - In various parts of the world there is "Parenta white maize meal". In North America you can substitute Cream of Wheat or Pillsbury Farina for corn meal. Farina seems to work better. If your community has an ethnic food store - Puerto Rican, African or Caribbean Food market, chances are they may have white maize corn meal. Feel free to experiment with the many types of mealie-meal available.
Accessories
Before serving, bring the chicken stew to a boil again. Turn heat off completely and add the cut scallions. Stir evenly to spread scallions in the stew. Let sit for 1 minute and serve while scallions are green and crunchy. Stew is served in a bowl and sadza on a plate.
How to eat Sadza neNyama
Sadza is finger food. However the first time around you may wish to use a spoon until you have had a chance to observe an experienced person eat with their hands - it is quite and art! Wash your hand well in a bowl of clean water. Using your right hand (Sh: rudyi -lit. 'the one used to eat') partition a small chunk of sadza and mold it into a little round or oval ball of sadza called "musuwa we sadza" in your palm. Be careful not to burn yourself. Dip (Sh: tonha) it in the soup (Sh: muto) and bite off and eat a sizable chunk. Re-mold the remainder of your sadza in your palm and continue the process. Use your fingers to pick up and eat chunks of chicken or beef. Enjoy!
Sadza is normally shared by several people all eating from the same plate and bowl sitting in a circle on the floor. This environment provides amble opportunity to learn sharing as one has to pace themselves accordingly while eating with others. It is particularly interesting to watch children of different ages eat from the same servings. The older children, who may be capable of eating very quickly and consume most of food at the expense of younger slower kids. They will either pace themselves at the rate of younger children or consume a fair portion but leave enough food for the younger children to finish at their own pace - a tremendous way to instill sharing and responsibility.
Sadza ne Nyama ye Huku
(Sadza with Chicken Stew)
by Solomon Murungu Chicken Stew Ingredients: (5 adults Serving)
- 2 lbs fresh boneless chicken breast
- 3 - 3 1/2 lb. of very ripe red tomatoes
- 1 bunch scallions (about 6-8 scallion plants)
- 2 medium-size onions
- ginger root
- red pepper
- black pepper
- chili powder
- parsley flakes
- salt
- olive oil
Mealie-Meal - In various parts of the world there is "Parenta white maize meal". In North America you can substitute Cream of Wheat or Pillsbury Farina for corn meal. Farina seems to work better. If your community has an ethnic food store - Puerto Rican, African or Caribbean Food market, chances are they may have white maize corn meal. Feel free to experiment with the many types of mealie-meal available.
Accessories
- large sauce-pan
- medium (8-12") diameter frying pan
- mugoti (Sh) - a sadza stirring wooden spoon made from a hardwood that does not fray or splinter.
- various containers
- slice up two onions into small chunks and store in an air-tight Tupperware container.
- cut up all tomatoes into 1/4" pieces and store in a large container
- skin and finely cut about 3 ounces of fresh ginger - and store in an air-tight container to maintain freshness
- cut up the chicken into 1/4-inch cubes
- cut up 1 bunch of scallions into 1/4" pieces and store in an air-tight container. Keep both the root and leaves!
- Cover the bottom of a large sauce-pan with olive oil and apply medium to high heat.
- When the oil is very hot (and thin), stir fry the ginger alone for 1/2-minute.
- Add the onions and continue to stir fry. (Leave a tiny bit of ginger and onions for next step).
- Sprinkle enough chili powder to redden the onions and ginger.
- While stirring constantly also add a tinge of red pepper, a fair amount of black pepper.
- Add 1 - 2 teaspoons of salt and continue to stir. Using your finger, grab a half teaspoon worth of dried parsley leaves and pulverize it with your fingers while sprinkling in the pan. Continue to stir.
- The contents should shimmer from the heat and a spicy aroma should be evident.
- Turn the heat to high. The heat will begin to brown/blacken the bottom of the pan.
- Add the cut tomatoes in 4 to 5 portions at a time while stirring constantly. You aim to maintain boiling point while you add tomatoes.
- When all the tomatoes are in, and the sauce has reached/maintained boiling point, turn the heat down to medium and let boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir and mash the tomatoes occasionally.
- Re-sprinkle some more chili powder and stir. After five minutes turn the heat down to low, where the sauce is barely at boiling point. Cook for 10-20 minutes stirring and mashing the tomatoes as needed. [At this point if you have other things to do, you can simply turn the heat off and go off to do other things and return to the recipe later.]
- Cover the bottom of a frying sauce-pan with olive oil and apply medium to high heat.
- When the oil is very hot, carefully tilt the pan to spread the oil so as to cover the walls of the frying pan. Add the tiny amount of ginger and onions from last step and stir fry for a couple of seconds.
- Apply high heat. Add all the cut chicken into a large pile in the center of the frying pan.
- Allow bottom pieces to cook and spread/stir the rest around the pan while stirring. Do not allow any of it to burn.
- After a while the water in the chicken will cover the bottom of the pan and boil.
- Continued to stir and add, chili powder, black pepper, red pepper, salt and parsley leaves.
- Allow all the water to boil off and continue to stir until the bottom of the pan is dark brown from the heat and spices.
- Mix the chicken with the tomato sauce in the tomato saucepan and stir to ensure an even mixture. Keep under low heat - barely boiling. Let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 30 minutes or so turn heat off but keep saucepan on the hot burner to use the residual heat.
- Before you begin, bring to boil about one gallon of water in a kettle.
- Add 5 cups of mealie-meal in a 3 quart saucepan. Add enough cold water to completely soak the mealie-meal. Most of the water will be absorbed by the mealie-meal.
- Add little more water to allow you to stir with a mugoti into a very thick white mixture and place saucepan over medium high heat, and while stirring add boiling water slowly.
- Continue to stir evenly and constantly to prevent the mealie-meal from settling and hardening at the bottom of the pan. (If this happens you end up with lumpy sadza - in Shona: "Sadza rine Mapundu" - literally "Sadza with pimples".)
- As the mixture heats up the texture changes from rough to smooth. Continue to add water to loosen the mixture and allow it boil with enough movement - some upward spattering will occur (Shona: "kukwata").
- At this stage, the sadza is in porridge state. If the water/mealie-meal mixture is just right, the sadza will boil without spilling over. However if it is too thin it might spill over, especially if you put a the saucepan cover on. Keep an eye on it.
- Allow the mixture to boil under medium high heat for about 5 minutes. Add the mealie-meal (upfu) 1/2 cup at a time and stir. At this point the sadza requires relatively heavy stirring as it thickens.
- Continue to add upfu and stir evenly until the sadza takes on the appearance of mashed potatoes. Be careful not to make it too thick otherwise it becomes too hard (Sh:"chidhina" )- literally "brick" and not as enjoyable to eat.
- After the sadza reaches the desired texture and is well mixed, turn heat off an cover and let it sit for a couple of minutes before serving. Good luck!
Before serving, bring the chicken stew to a boil again. Turn heat off completely and add the cut scallions. Stir evenly to spread scallions in the stew. Let sit for 1 minute and serve while scallions are green and crunchy. Stew is served in a bowl and sadza on a plate.
How to eat Sadza neNyama
Sadza is finger food. However the first time around you may wish to use a spoon until you have had a chance to observe an experienced person eat with their hands - it is quite and art! Wash your hand well in a bowl of clean water. Using your right hand (Sh: rudyi -lit. 'the one used to eat') partition a small chunk of sadza and mold it into a little round or oval ball of sadza called "musuwa we sadza" in your palm. Be careful not to burn yourself. Dip (Sh: tonha) it in the soup (Sh: muto) and bite off and eat a sizable chunk. Re-mold the remainder of your sadza in your palm and continue the process. Use your fingers to pick up and eat chunks of chicken or beef. Enjoy!
Sadza is normally shared by several people all eating from the same plate and bowl sitting in a circle on the floor. This environment provides amble opportunity to learn sharing as one has to pace themselves accordingly while eating with others. It is particularly interesting to watch children of different ages eat from the same servings. The older children, who may be capable of eating very quickly and consume most of food at the expense of younger slower kids. They will either pace themselves at the rate of younger children or consume a fair portion but leave enough food for the younger children to finish at their own pace - a tremendous way to instill sharing and responsibility.