DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW HOLD THE BODIES OF THEIR HUSBANDS TO FIX THE IN-LAWS

By Dr MASIMBA MAVAZA

The trend of daughters-in-law running away with their husband’s bodies, reportedly to “fix” their in-laws or due to strained relationships, highlights a concerning aspect of cultural decay in Zimbabwean communities, particularly among those living abroad.

Cultural Decay: A Growing Concern

Cultural decay refers to the erosion of traditional values, norms, and practices essential to a society’s identity. Factors contributing to this decay include:

• Globalization: The spread of globalized culture leads to the homogenization of local cultures, causing traditional practices to fade.
• Modernization: Rapid modernization shifts focus away from traditional values and practices.
• Urbanization: Adopting new urban lifestyles can lead to cultural changes and disconnection from traditional communities.

Impact on Traditional Burial Practices

In Zimbabwe’s Shona culture, burial procedures typically involve family and relatives. However, cases of daughters-in-law running away with their husband’s bodies indicate a deviation from these traditional practices. This trend can lead to,

• Emotional Distress: Family members, especially parents, experience intense grief and feelings of injustice when excluded from burial arrangements.
• Cultural Disconnection: Ignoring traditional burial practices can disrupt the deceased’s transition into an ancestral spirit, potentially affecting family dynamics and cultural identity.

Consequences and Potential Solutions

The consequences of cultural decay and disrupted traditional practices include:

• Loss of Cultural Heritage: Erosion of traditional music, art, literature, and other cultural expressions.
• Social Fragmentation: Disconnection from cultural roots and community ties.
• Identity Crisis: Struggling to define oneself and one’s place in the world.

To address these challenges, it’s essential to:

• Promote Cultural Education: Incorporate traditional practices and values into educational curricula.
• Community Engagement: Encourage community involvement in preserving cultural heritage.
• Intergenerational Dialogue: Foster dialogue between older and younger generations to ensure cultural knowledge transmission.