Story by Nathan Makombe
HUNDREDS of people gathered at Chief Njelele’s homestead in Gokwe on Sunday for the annual Mukwerera ceremony, an event that goes beyond rain-making to celebrate Zimbabwean culture and reinforce community unity.
Government officials and traditional leaders attended, underscoring the ceremony’s significance in preserving ancestral traditions.
Speaking during the ceremony, Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, said: “We have come here in Gokwe South for this Mukwerera ceremony. It is part of our tradition and culture, and as the Government, we fully support it. We do this so that the rains may come, and we stop importing maize. Our customs are being restored, and the First Lady’s Gota/Nhanga initiative is also part of this drive to revive our traditions.”
Chief Njelele highlighted the importance of passing cultural practices to the next generation.
“This gathering is held every year to appease our ancestors and ensure adequate rains for our land. Such ceremonies must be preserved at all costs. Our forefathers practised this, and it is our duty to pass the baton to our children and grandchildren so our culture lives on. Everyone should go back to their roots and remain cultured,” he said.
Traditional songs, dances, and rituals marked the ceremony, reflecting the community’s belief in ancestral guidance and the continued relevance of these practices in modern times.
