In pursuit of heritage-based philosophies: African oral literature in nationalism and politics in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Since time immemorial, indigenous communities have always perceived their philosophies as a complex web of survival. These communities have always relied on the indigenous knowledge systems through proverbs, folk stories and songs to instill life affirming values and caution people. They have played a pivotal role in the understanding of nationalism and politics on the African continent. The philosophies of life that are valued by the indigenous people are embedded in these art forms. Thus, they have continued to be vehicles through which all the values that concern African people are communicated and transmitted. The study, therefore, sought to investigate and demonstrate the role of heritage-based philosophies in the understanding of nationalism and politics in Zimbabwe. The research was a qualitative enquiry where purposive sampling of 40 elderly and 40 youths from Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North provinces were conducted. The researcher sought ethical clearance to conduct the research and it was reviewed and granted by Africa Social Work and Development Network (ASWDNet) committee under number EA0238. Guided by the Ubuntu philosophy, the article comes to conclusion that oral literature emphasizes the African way of life of the people and it has contributed to the practice and handling of nationalism and politics in Zimbabwe. It further points out that these philosophies are significant agents of change capable of directing, provoking, overturning and recasting perceptions of social reality.