Story by Tafara Chikumira
THOUSANDS of people gathered at Chief Gwesela’s homestead in Zhombe over the weekend for the annual Mutorera rain-making ceremony, a traditional ceremony held to invoke rains ahead of the farming season.
In a colourful display of culture and unity, Church representatives joined traditional leaders to reaffirm the spiritual significance of Mutorera.
“I had visits from four different sangomas who instructed that we hold such a ceremony. This is what we used to do back then. We want the rains to come peacefully. Sometimes we tend to lose lives through violent rains. What we have done is meant to appease the spirits so that we enjoy the upcoming season,” Chief Gwesela said.
The government says there is a need for the community to honour traditional customs for the preservation of cultural norms and belief systems.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is important to reflect on the critical role played by our traditional leaders in the governance architecture of our communities in Zimbabwe. Chiefs are not merely custodians of culture and tradition; they are integral to the socio-economic architecture of our society, serving as mediators, advocates for their people’s needs and aspirations, and development practitioners,” Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube noted
Held annually in many parts of Zimbabwe, the Mutorera ceremony reflects the deep-rooted belief in ancestral guidance and the interconnectedness between people, nature, and spiritual heritage as the nation prepares for the summer cropping season.
