Gendered Mourning and Grieving Rituals amongst the Jahunda People of Zimbabwe as a Challenge to the Pastoral Care Ministry of the Church

Abstract

Zimbabwe is a gendered society despite legislation that seeks to bring equality and equity between the genders. The social oppression of women is well documented by theologians such as Chitando, Chirongoma, Phiri, Nadar, Haddad, Kanyoro, Masenya, and Dube in a variety of academic forums. This knowledge, however, does not translate into lived reality. Sadly, it remains in academic circles without reaching the majority of society. However, the ill-treatment of women, especially, in rural traditional settings continues unabated despite efforts by gender activists, feminist theologians, and constitutional positive developments at the level of the state. In the case of rituals involving death, society, and the church, very little is said. Some people in Zimbabwe’s rural areas still consider talking about death as a taboo. Hence abuses that happen in relation to mourning are generally not discussed. This article is based on ethnographic research of the mourning rituals of the Jahunda people who are largely Christians. This research will demonstrate the gendered nature of mourning ritual, where men and women perform different death rituals but widows have the responsibility to perform a greater number than their male counterparts. Further, the research will examine these observed differences to address the patriarchal nature of Jahunda society and the ways in which mourning rituals are socially oppressive to the women of this ethnic group. In conclusion, pastoral care and theological responses will be offered to find ways to ameliorate the status of women in this community.