Religious Symbols and Political Change

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Periodical article

Title:	Religious Symbols and Political Change
Author:	Bourdillon, M.F.C.
Year:	1984-1985
Periodical:	Zambezia
Volume:	12
Pages:	39-54
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zimbabwe
Subjects:	African religions Shona national liberation movements Religion and Witchcraft Politics and Government Ethnic and Race Relations
External link:	https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/AJA03790622_29
Abstract:	Focusing on a chiefdom called Chiruja in the extreme northeast of Zimbabwe, the author presents data on Shona religious symbolism during the war of independence and immediately after it. Two questions in particular guide his approach: To what extent do religious symbols divert peoples' attention from real political issues? To what extent do they excite an emotional response at the expense of accurate understanding? Three sets of relationships are examined: relationships between religious authorities, notably spirit mediums, and their subordinates; relationships between political authorities and their subordinates; and relationships between religious and political authorities. Each set involves two-way relationships which are not necessarily viewed in the same way from both sides; and each set involves ideology, and the use of symbols. Notes, ref.