Coping with the coronavirus (COVID-19): Resources from Ndau indigenous religion

Abstract

The global pandemic of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has shaken the world in a devastating way. This is so tragic to Africa in particular, given that the continent had not yet completely ridden the tide of the HIV and AIDS. On a positive note though, COVID-19 has not been as virulent with Africa as it has been with the global north, a feat that has found no clear explanation from health scientists, at least for now. Governments across the world have put their countries or parts thereof on lockdown where people are encouraged to stay at home. The Government of Zimbabwe, in line with global trends, put the country under lockdown since 30 March 2020. It has also come up with a litany of statutory instruments that are intended to enforce the lockdown regulations. Religions have been taken unawares by this unprecedented development forcing them to search deeper into their resources in order to remain relevant to their followers. It is a fact that these religions will emerge from this phase renewed. In this chapter, I explore promises and challenges of the Ndau indigenous religion in the context of the pandemic with a view to finding its resources that can transform death-dealing behaviours in current and future times and also to note areas that require review. I chose Ndau indigenous religion to avoid generalizations since AIRs are not monolithic. I employ Çarkoğlu’s spiritual capital theory that explores how religious ideas and activities inspire adherents to transform their lives and that of others beyond their immediate comfort zone. The chapter is an empirical qualitative phenomenological study that seeks to access the meaning embedded in the religious activities of the Ndau in the context of COVID-19. I use interviews contacted via social media platforms and telephone to gather data from the key informants in the spirit of social distancing.