Moffat Mungazi
Rodgers Irimayi
Cultural Perspectives
THIS week, my focus is on elders in the community, and the vital role they play in preserving cultural heritage, sharing wisdom, and providing guidance to younger generations.
I will touch on the various ways in which community life is enriched by the presence of elders who hold a significant place rooted in traditional customs and cultural practices.
Although the roles of elders are multifaceted and deeply intertwined with the social and political fabric of the community, their accumulated knowledge is derived from long life experiences in different situations.
The moral compass of the younger generation is given by the community elders who help instill values and beliefs that guide youths in making ethical choices.
Family leadership
Elders often hold positions of authority within the family structure and they contribute in making important decisions in planning and organising family programmes as well as providing resources.
They play crucial roles as part of community leadership where they provide decision-making services.
It is their wisdom and life experiences that are valued, and frequently consulted on matters affecting the community.
In order to preserve wetlands, maintain fauna and green forestry, elders are critical in the management of communal environment and resources such as land and water to ensure that these are used sustainably and equitably.
Elders are the custodians of traditions, responsible for preserving and transmitting cultural heritage, including oral histories, traditional practices, and rituals.
They pass down stories, proverbs, and teachings to younger generations.
As facilitators of traditional ceremonies, they also lead and participate in important cultural and religious ceremonies, ensuring that traditions are honoured and maintained.
It is their work to maintain social order and cohesion within communities so as to promote unity, cooperation and shared values.
Many a time elders play the advocacy role and become the voice for the vulnerable groups in the society.
They advocate for the needs and rights of the disabled, orphans, women, child-headed families, and the elderly themselves.
They bring attention to social issues and injustices.
Elders also have a very significant role when it comes to representing the interests of their communities in broader discussions locally, regionally, nationally, or even internationally.
Some elderly artists such as sculptors and traditional dancers have represented their communities at various forums showcasing their performances.
Musical groups such as Mbira DzeNharira and Mbuya Stella Chiweshe excelled as elderly traditional mbira groups that managed to travel overseas and performed in many countries.
Nurturing and caregiving
Many families are being headed by elderlies who take on responsibilities for young grandchildren, offering physical care and emotional nurturing during crucial stages of growth.
Some young men and women leave their children in the care of their elderly parents as they migrate from their rural areas to towns in search of employment.
With the current rate of unemployment, many fail to get proper jobs.
The elders in the rural areas are left with no option, but to struggle to support their grandchildren as they face the need for food and demand for school fees.
Guidance and counselling services
Another important role played by elders is that of providing guidance to families, offering advice on various life challenges, from childbirth to marriage and parenting.
Elders are able to offer emotional support to others based on their wealth of life experiences, intelligence and understanding.
They render valuable advice which helps the younger family members to navigate trials and make informed decisions regarding education, relationships, and career choices.
Elders are able to guide them through the complexities of modern life, while encouraging them to draw upon cultural wisdom.
They become handy in conflict resolution processes through their mediatory roles in disputes.
Where young couples are faced with marital problems, elders are particularly relevant in providing counselling and facilitating dialogue where there are conflicts that require peaceful resolutions in order to maintain harmony within the family.
To those stressed and undergoing depression, elderly women and men have the capacity to provide therapeutic advises to refrain them from suicidal or other such thoughts.
Mentorship and apprenticeship
Elders are respected because of their place in the mentorship for youths as they instil in them values, ethics, and a sense of responsibility that helps to shape the next generation’s character and leadership.
As respected figures, elders serve as role models, exemplifying cultural values and ethical behaviour.
Young people are expected to show deference and respect in their interactions with elders.
Traditional mentoring methods include storytelling where elders share stories about their lives, experiences, and cultural traditions, teaching valuable lessons and values.
A good example is the role being played by War Veterans in Zimbabwe where they tell their war experiences such as the battles they fought.
As apprenticeships, the young people are taken under the wings of the elders who teach them traditional skills such as farming, craftsmanship, or cooking.
The process promotes intergenerational learning, fostering understanding and respect between older and younger generations.
Elders as guides to rites of passage
Important phases in life include rites of passage which are ceremonies or rituals that mark important transitional periods in an individual’s life.
These include marriage rites which are ceremonies that often involve rituals that bind couples together and they are marked by celebrations that involve families and communities.
There are also funeral rites, initiation rites and several others that mark a transition or incorporation depending on the social event.
The role of elders as ritual leaders is paramount as they lead family ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and important celebrations which reinforce communal bonds and cultural heritage.
Some tribes have initiation rites which involve specific initiation rituals for young people and ceremonies meant to tests for bravery and skill.
It is the task of elders to guide young people through initiation ceremonies and rites of passage, marking important life transitions.
These transitions often signify a change in social status or identity, and they are prevalent in various cultures around the world.
Support systems
Elders can provide financial advice, contribute to family budget or help younger members with financial decision-making.
They may assist in providing resources for education and healthcare.
Some even support the young generation in their economic endeavours, such as starting businesses or engaging in farming by offering insights and resources such as tools and livestock.
Cultural adaptation and transformation
Without elders as cultural mediators with abilities to blend traditional practices with new ideas, it would be difficult to ensure that adaptations of cultural heritage are respected and accommodated with the rapid changes taking place in the modern world.
The elders ensure there is smooth transition through innovative tradition as they have the ability to reinterpret traditions in comparison to modern realities.
This transition allows cultural practices to evolve without losing their essence.
They can impart knowledge about traditions, languages, and customs to younger members of the community, ensuring that these elements are preserved even as new influences emerge.
Elders can help dispel stereotypes or misconceptions about their culture which fosters an understanding among different generations.
Through their teachings, a sense of pride is instilled in one’s cultural identity which helps younger generations to navigate changes without losing sight of their roots.
Those without traditional moral bearings end up despising their own mother’s Shona or Ndebele tongues in favour of foreign language such as English.
Ways to embrace elderly advice
When seeking advice from elders, practise active listening without interrupting.
Create dialogue with them and foster open conversations where elders feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences.
Seek mentorship and identify elders who resonate with you and seek them out as mentors.
Respect traditions and acknowledge the cultural practices shared by elders.
Participating in or learning about traditions can enhance your appreciation and understanding of their perspectives.
Encourage elders to share their stories as this enhances engagement and allows for experiential lessons to be conveyed in a relatable manner.
You can help elders navigate technology if they wish to share their knowledge online or connect with wider audiences.
Digital storytelling or group chats can be great platforms for sharing advice.
The use of social platforms such as WhatsApp, X, Facebook and Instagram enables the stories from elders to be shared widely with the participation of more people.
It is imperative to embracing the advice of elders as they play a significant role in adding value across cultures and generations.
Their insights which are grounded in extensive life experiences, can offer guidance on a wide range of issues which affects younger generations and their changing lives.
Readers feedback:
Reader 1: The issue of roora/lobola is a complex one.
However, I think we should go to the old ways of roora.
In the pre-90s, roora was meant to cement relationships between to families.
It should not be about one status and or position.
Roora is a token to the bride family, thanking for the bride.
What I have noted is that marriages for those who paid roora tend to last and withstand pressure and shocks.
After all, roora is one accepted in our culture which still stands.
Reader 2: There are many things that are going wrong about kuroora these days as many people now charge mazimari kutoita profit pamwanasikana.
It is very bad zvaakuitwa nemadzibaba. Itsika yakaipa inokonzera kuti mwanasikana asazogare zvakanaka nemurume achinzi ndakakutenga saka uriproperty yangu.
Rodgers Irimayi is the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Masvingo Provincial Information Officer. He writes in his personal capacity and can be contacted on +263778246098 or [email protected].
Online Reporter