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Religion Writer
Members of a sect of Johane Masowe recently took part in an African Traditional ceremony, known as a bira, hosted by Chief Magonde in Lions Den.
The ceremony was to honour ancestral spirits and was attended by traditional healers from the Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association, spirit mediums and chiefs and headmen on July 18 and 19 at Pondori Farm.
The president of ZINPA, Sekuru Friday Chisanyu, said: “Madzibaba Shumba (of Johanne Masowe sect) said they respect their African culture while they also follow their Apostolic beliefs. So at the ceremony they used the same entrance as did the n’angas.
“While they danced to the drums and backed the spirit mediums in song, the apostolic sect members also took turns to lead in song and drum beating.
“They also ate the same food like everyone else. There was nothing like the spirit mediums or n’angas cooking their own food while the apostolic sect members prepared their own. We ate the same food prepared by men who were cooking there,” Sekuru Chisanyu said.
Chief Magonde hosted the ceremony after regaining the land of his ancestors, which had been lost due to migration of his clan from the farm.
The ceremony started with participants walking barefoot to the shrine, whose entrance had black and white cloths representing African Traditional Religion and Christianity.
As per tradition, at the entrance stood a man with a clay pot filled with water which was splashed on individuals’ faces as they passed through.
This, Sekuru Chisanyu said, was their way of welcoming visitors and cleansing any undesirable spirit they may bring to the shrine.
Sekuru Chisanyu said Madzibaba Shumba encouraged participants not to forget their forefathers.
“The floor was then given to Bishop Shumba of the Johanne Masowe sect who said he was very happy to work hand-in-hand with traditional healers and spirit mediums,” he said.
Also see page 4 — Tracing African Roots
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