Bøger af Ezra Chitando

Zimbabwean social media has been awash with images of a woman character, spirit, or concept called Chihera. Traditionally, a woman descending from the Mhofu (Eland) lineage/totem is known as Chihera. In the cumulative tradition of the Shona (a Zimbabwean ethnic group), Chihera is a fiercely independent, assertive, free spirited, and no nonsense woman. This volume seeks to deepen reflections on the Chihera phenomenon in the context of the search for gender justice in Zimbabwe and Africa. The authors reflect on how this radical indigenous feminist ethic circulating on social media can animate the quest for Zimbabwean and African women's full liberation from patriarchy and all oppressive forces. They grapple with the issue of generating culturally sensitive theories and approaches to galvanize the struggle for African women's liberation in post-colonial settings. Second, they locate the Chihera mystique in the context of the practical struggle for women's empowerment. Third, the volume illustrates how the Chihera phenomenon could be utilized for gender justice in Zimbabwe and beyond.

This volume reveals how religion interfaces with inequality in different African contexts. Some contributors undertake detailed analyses of how religion creates (and justifies) different forms of inequality that holds back individuals, groups and communities across the continent from flourishing, while others show how religion can also mitigate inequality in Africa. Topics addressed include gender inequality, economic inequality, disability, ageism and religious homophobia. Specifically focusing on the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal 10 to reduce inequality within and among countries, this book highlights the extent to which Africa's 'notoriously religious' identity needs to be taken into account in discourses on development.

This book illustrates how religion and ideology were used by Robert Mugabe to ward off opposition within his own party, in Zimbabwe and from the West. An interdisciplinary line up of contributors argue that Mugabe used a calculated narrative of deification - presenting himself as a divine figure who had the task of delivering land, freedom and confidence to black people across the world - to remain in power in Zimbabwe. The chapters highlight the appropriation and deployment of religious themes in Mugabe's domestic and international politics, reflect on the contestation around the deification of Mugabe in Zimbabwean politics across different forms of religious expression, including African Traditional Religions and various strands of Christianity and initiate further reflections on the interface between religion and politics in Africa and globally.Politics and Religion in Zimbabwe will be of interest to scholars of religion and politics, Southern Africa and African politics.

This book approaches perceptions of Robert Gabriel Mugabe within Zimbabwe during his period in power, and towards the end of his time in government.

How does a regime, whose members have been actively involved in the previous one, appropriate and deploy religious ideas and rhetoric to cast itself as "born-again" and resplendent? This book examines the invention of Zimbabwe's "New Dispensation," the regime of Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, which has aimed to separate itself from the previous regime of Robert G. Mugabe. Utilizing the concept of "invention" contributors reflect on how Mnangagwa and his publicists deploy religious ideas, concepts and rhetoric in the quest for legitimacy in a heavily contested political field. Chapters in the volume examine the use of time, theological ideas and religious practices to separate Mnangagwa's regime from Mugabe's. In this regard, contributors explore how religious ideas and ideals that are already in circulation within the religious marketplace become building blocks and material for minting a New Dispensation.

This book explores religion-regime relations in contemporary Zimbabwe to identify patterns of co-operation and resistance across diverse religious institutions.

Zimbabwean social media has been awash with images of a woman character, spirit, or concept called Chihera. Traditionally, a woman descending from the Mhofu (Eland) lineage/totem is known as Chihera. In the cumulative tradition of the Shona (a Zimbabwean ethnic group), Chihera is a fiercely independent, assertive, free spirited, and no nonsense woman. This volume seeks to deepen reflections on the Chihera phenomenon in the context of the search for gender justice in Zimbabwe and Africa. The authors reflect on how this radical indigenous feminist ethic circulating on social media can animate the quest for Zimbabwean and African women¿s full liberation from patriarchy and all oppressive forces. They grapple with the issue of generating culturally sensitive theories and approaches to galvanize the struggle for African women¿s liberation in post-colonial settings. Second, they locate the Chihera mystique in the context of the practical struggle for women¿s empowerment. Third, the volume illustrates how the Chihera phenomenon could be utilized for gender justice in Zimbabwe and beyond.

This book is a critical reflection on the life and career of the late legendary Zimbabwean music icon, Oliver ¿Tukü Mtukudzi, and his contribution towards the reconstruction of Zimbabwe, Africa and the globe at large. Mtukudzi was a musician, philosopher, and human rights activist who espoused the agenda of reconstruction in order to bring about a better world, proposing personal, cultural, political, religious and global reconstruction. With twenty original chapters, this vibrant volume examines various themes and dimensions of Mtukudzi¿s distinguished life and career, notably, how his music has been a powerful vehicle for societal reconstruction and cultural rejuvenation, specifically speaking to issues of culture, human rights, governance, peacebuilding, religion and identity, humanism, gender and politics, among others. The contributors explore the art of performance in Mtukudzi¿s music and acting career, and how this facilitated his reconstruction agenda, offering fresh and compelling perspectives into the role of performing artists and cultural workers such as Mtukudzi in presenting models for reconstructing the world.

This book contends that Africa's sustainable development must be built on African identity and values.  Contributors reflect of the role of values in Africa's effort to overcome poverty, the focus of SDG 1. The volume reflects on how indigenous values such as Ubuntu constitute a critical resource in addressing poverty. It reiterates the importance of positioning the response to poverty in Africa on the continent's own, home grown values. Contributors also interrogate how values such as integrity, hard work, tolerance, solidarity, respect and others serve to position Africa strategically to overcome poverty. The volume focuses on how values can help Africa to overcome challenges such as corruption, violence, intolerance, competitive ethnicity, xenophobia, misplaced priorities and others. It provides fresh and critical reflections on the role of values and identity in anchoring Africa's development in the light of SDG 1.

Religion and Sexuality in Zimbabwe highlights the complex interplay between religion and sexuality in Zimbabwe. It shows how religion both facilitates and complicates the expression of sexuality in Zimbabwe. Approaching religion from a broader perspective, this volume reviews the impact of African Indigenous Religions and Christianity in its varied forms on the construction and expression of sexuality in Zimbabwe. These contributors examine the role of indigenous beliefs, as well as interpretations of sacred texts, in the understanding of sexuality in Zimbabwe. They also address themes relating to sexual diversity and sexual and gender-based violence. Overall, this book sheds light on the ongoing relevance and strategic role of religion to contemporary discourses on human sexuality.

This book explores the intersections of gender, religion and migration within the context of post-independent Zimbabwe, with a specific focus on how gender disparities impact economic development. It addresses the need for gender equity, gender inclusion and gender mainstreaming in both religious and societal institutions.

Presents a multidisciplinary exploration of African traditions in the study of religion in Africa and the new African diaspora. This book is structured under three main sections - Emerging trends in the teaching of African Religions; Indigenous Thought and Spirituality; and Christianity, Hinduism and Islam.

The historiography of African religions and religions in Africa presents a remarkable shift from the study of 'Africa as Object' to 'Africa as Subject', thus translating the subject from obscurity into the global community. This book presents a multidisciplinary exploration of African Traditions in the Study of Religion, and Gendered Societies.