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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Zambezi Goba Ancestral Cult
Author:Lancaster, C.S.
Year:1977
Periodical:Africa: Journal of the International African Institute
Volume:47
Issue:3
Pages:229-241
Language:English
Geographic terms:Zimbabwe
Mozambique
Subjects:Gova
ancestor worship
Religion and Witchcraft
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External links:https://www.jstor.org/stable/1158860
https://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pao:&rft_dat=xri:pao:article:4011-1977-047-00-000018
Abstract:In the Zimbabwe culture of present day Southern Rhodesia and Mozambique until recent times basic control over social and political groupings was probably exercised through belief in various levels of spirit cult, ranging from the grass-roots system of individual guardian spirtis in the ancestral cult controlled by village elders in the extended family and descent group, through a hierarchy of ritually senior, loosely territorial land spirits holding sway over the progressively larger land shrine realms of neighborhood leaders, petty chieftains, chiefs and paramounts. The institution of Goba ancestral cult has probably received less systematic and comparative attention than it deserves. This paper outlines the dynamics of the Goba ancestral cult in order to demonstrate the characteristic processes of a 'kin based' society where heterogeneity and change have long been important: Introductory background - The cult of the Shades - Guardian spirits and recent changes - Conclusion. Ref., notes, figure, French summary.
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