Preservation of religious, cultural and moral aspects in Chibwelamushi harvest ceremony of the Lala and Swaka People of Zambia's Serenje and Mkushi Districts
Date
2015-11-24
Authors
Ngabwa, Dorothy
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Abstract
The study sought to clearly identify religious, cultural and moral aspects in Chibwelamushi Harvest Ceremony (CHC) of the Lala-Swaka people of Serenje and Mkushi districts. The objectives of the study were to: Describe CHC of the Lala and Swaka people, identify the aspects of CHC which are classified as religious, cultural and moral, ascertain how religious, cultural and moral aspects in CHC are preserved and transmitted from generation to generation, establish how religious, cultural and moral aspects in CHC contribute to the wellbeing of individuals and the Lala-Swaka community and determine the changes that have taken place over years regarding the religious, cultural and moral aspects in the CHC. The study employed qualitative approaches in which it evoked Ethnography interview design in order to effectively address the issues raised by the research questions. The method of data collection included, observation, interviews and document analysis using the semi structured interview guide activity, observation checklist and document analysis checklist. The target population included all Lala -Swaka People. The sample of 14 interviewees included 1 chairperson, 1 secretary,2 representatives from insaka yelala, 2 initiators of initiates, 2Traditional Affairs Officers,4 ordinary members from two tribes and one senior chief from each district. Purposive (typical) sampling techniques were used to select the interviewees and the researcher observed the whole procession of CHC.
Data was analyzed according to emerging themes which generally were answering the research objectives.
The findings of the study were that there was a difference in understanding and description of CHC among different stake holders. The study also indicated that there is active presence of religious, cultural and moral aspects in CHC. The study further revealed that the religious, cultural and moral aspects are preserved and transmitted through the girls initiates initiated at puberty during CHC, the chief‟s nephew and the high priest‟s initiates who take over the work of the chief or high priest in case of death or sickness. The study further indicated that the religious aspects help the Lala-Swaka people to live in harmony with the cosmology by upholding taboos in society.
The study further revealed that the coming of Christianity and other religion, colonialism, modernity and capitalism have impacted on CHC. Based on the findings above, the study recommends among others that the Lala-Swaka people should hold an Indaba to strategize and streamline the best practices and should closely work with the Ministry of chiefs in identifying and enhancing the preservation of CHC.
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Keywords
Traditional Ceremonies-Zambia , Culture-Zambia , Lala-Swaka-Zambia