Mbulelo Mpofu, Sunday Life Reporter
IN a world grappling with climate change and environmental degradation, Zimbabwean academic and author Edison Mhaka is drawing on indigenous knowledge to inspire a new generation of environmental custodians.
His forthcoming novel, “Tears of Mermaids: Weeping for a Planet in Peril,” blends Shona spiritual beliefs with contemporary ecological concerns, using folklore to highlight the consequences of humanity’s increasingly destructive relationship with nature.
Set in the fictional Chiedza village, the novel revolves around the Upenyu River, whose name means “life”.
For generations, the river has sustained livelihoods, provided food and preserved ancestral memories. However, its survival is threatened by destructive mining, wetland encroachment, deforestation and the effects of climate change.
At the heart of the story is Anesu, a 16-year-old girl who discovers a mystical connection with the njuzu, traditionally understood as water spirits and guardians of aquatic habitats.
Through dreams, visions and encounters with the spirit world of Njuzuland, she embarks on a
journey to save her community’s lifeblood and challenge practices threatening its survival.Mhaka’s inspiration is rooted in his upbringing and extensive academic engagement with Shona traditions.
Born in Masvingo Province 64 years ago, he attended Zimuto, Mzingwane and Tegwane schools before obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies and History from the University of Zimbabwe. He subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in education, including a Master of Philosophy.
He is currently a lecturer in Family and Religious Studies at Great Zimbabwe University, where his interests include indigenous knowledge systems, curriculum development and religious education.
His earlier scholarly work, “Mermaids and Mermen: Njuzu Beliefs and Myths among the Shona of Zimbabwe,” explored the cultural and spiritual significance of mermaids in Shona communities.
In his latest work, he moves beyond documenting these beliefs, reimagining them as a framework for confronting environmental challenges.
“My inspiration came partly from the beliefs and experiences within the communities where I grew up. During my childhood, we were taught about the existence and reality of mermaids, commonly known among the Shona as njuzu. We were told that these spiritual beings had natural habitats, including pools along rivers, springs, wetlands and waterfalls,” he said.
Mhaka observes that such beliefs remain alive in many communities, with accounts of encounters with njuzu continuing to circulate.
“In Tears of Mermaids, I reimagine the njuzu as guardians of water and aquatic life, whose tears symbolise the suffering of rivers, springs and wetlands as a result of human activities.”
The novel’s environmental concerns extend beyond fiction, reflecting challenges posed by unregulated artisanal mining, poor waste management and deforestation across Zimbabwe and the continent.
“The name Upenyu, meaning life, is deliberate. When the river is healthy, the community prospers.
But when it becomes polluted, human health, livelihoods, wildlife and the entire ecological system suffer. The river’s condition is a reflection of the community itself,” Mhaka said.
He argues that destroying natural habitats also threatens the cultural heritage associated with them, including traditional beliefs, taboos, myths and rituals.
The choice of a young female protagonist is equally deliberate. Mhaka notes that women and girls in rural communities often bear the greatest burden of environmental degradation, particularly through their responsibilities of fetching water and collecting firewood.
Through Anesu, he seeks to demonstrate that young people have a responsibility to challenge harmful practices and participate in conserving natural resources rather than passively inherit the consequences of previous generations’ decisions.
The novel also draws on the African philosophy of Unhu/Ubuntu, extending the principles of interconnectedness and collective responsibility to the natural environment.
Mhaka believes the book can complement Zimbabwe’s Heritage-Based Curriculum by bringing indigenous knowledge into conversations about contemporary environmental science.
“Scientific knowledge helps us understand ecological processes, while indigenous knowledge can provide culturally meaningful ways of nurturing environmental responsibility. The two can work together,” he said.
He hopes the novel will stimulate classroom discussions and encourage practical initiatives, including environmental clubs, tree-planting campaigns and community river clean-ups.
Ultimately, Tears of Mermaids makes a compelling case for recognising indigenous wisdom as an important resource in addressing today’s ecological crisis.
Through Anesu’s journey, Mhaka delivers a timely reminder that protecting nature is both an environmental necessity and a shared cultural responsibility.
As he puts it, young people should not inherit environmental destruction in silence. @MbuleloMpofu
