Indigenous knowledge systems and character formation among Shona boys and men
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64754/thedyke.v19i1.479Keywords:
Indegenous Knowledge Systems, masculinity, rights of passage, behaviour , ZimbabweAbstract
This article interrogates the key dimensions of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) that shape behaviour and character formation among Zimbabwean boys and men. IKS has historically functioned as a springboard for cultivating positive behavioural attributes such as self-discipline, integrity, humility, empathy, confidence, and self-esteem. However, it is also critiqued for reinforcing some of the challenges confronting Zimbabwean men today. This study, therefore, examines how IKS simultaneously fosters positive and negative masculinities, internalised through socialisation processes. The analysis is framed by Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Ecological Systems Theory (EST), offering a comprehensive lens for addressing the behavioural and social challenges facing Zimbabwean communities as they mould boys into responsible men. A qualitative research design was adopted, drawing on in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and secondary data analysis. Purposively selected male informants (n=25), aged between 18 and 65 and with demonstrable IKS backgrounds, were recruited from both rural and urban communities. Ethical protocols were observed, including obtaining informed consent and using pseudonyms to ensure anonymity. Data were analysed thematically using a web-like analytical strategy to capture interrelated patterns. Findings reveal that IKS operates as a two-edged sword: while it can be harnessed to instil positive behaviour and strengthen communal responsibility, if poorly managed, it risks entrenching harmful gender norms, toxic masculinities, and regressive practices. The study concludes that community institutions should strategically leverage IKS to reinforce its constructive dimensions while mitigating its damaging effects. Doing so would help nurture culturally grounded, socially responsible, and gender-sensitive citizens capable of responding to contemporary societal challenges.
References
Balogun, O. A. (2010). Proverbial oppression of women in Yoruba African culture: A philosophical overview. Thought and Practice, 2(1), 21–36.
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Bhabha, H. K. (1994). The location of culture. Routledge.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis? Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 328–352.
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The Ecology of Human Development: Experiments by Nature and Design. Harvard University Press. Cambridge. Massachusetts.
Castleberry, A., & Nolen, A. (2018). Thematic analysis of qualitative research data: Is it as easy as it sounds? Currents in pharmacy teaching and learning, 10(6), 807–815.
Chitauro-Mawema, J. (2006). Constructing masculinity in Shona culture: The role of oral traditions. Zambezia, 33(1/2), 53–67.
Chitauro-Mawema, M. B. (2006). Gender sensitivity in Shona language use (Unpublished PhD thesis). University of Zimbabwe.
Chiwome, E. (1996). Communication with children on sexual issues. In Introduction to Shona culture (pp. 51–64). University of Zimbabwe Publications.
Chiwome, E. M. (1996). A social history of the Shona novel. University of Zimbabwe Publications.
Chiwome, E. M., Mguni, Z., & Furusa, M. (Eds.). (2000). Indigenous knowledge and technology in African and diasporan communities: Multi-disciplinary approaches. Southern African Association for Culture and Development Studies.
Connell, R. & Messerschmidt J. W. (2005). “Hegemonic Masculinity: Rethinking the Concept.” Gender & Society 19(6): 829-859
Creswell, J., & Poth, C. (2018). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Dorji, T. C. (2009). Preserving our folktales, myths and legends in the digital era. Storytelling, Self, Society, 6(1), 19–38.
Dove, M. R. (2006). Indigenous people and environmental politics. Annual Review of Anthropology, 35(1), 191–208.
Ekeke, E., & John, M. (2023). African traditional religion and the moral question of alcohol consumption. Journal of African Studies and Religion, 15(2), 45–59.
Etikan, I., & Bala, K. (2017). Sampling and sampling methods. Biometrics & Biostatistics International Journal, 5(6), 00149.
Falade, D. A. (2013). The role of elders in African traditional education. International Journal of African Culture, Politics and Development, 8(1), 12–25.
Gadgil, M., & Vartak, V. D. (1975). Sacred groves of India: A plea for continued conservation. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 72(2), 314–320.
Gondo, K. T., & Nyoni, T. (2019). Teaching and learning culture in Zimbabwe. In W. Magwa (Ed.), African culture and heritage in Zimbabwe (Vol. 1). Mambo Press.
Gwaravanda, E. T. (2011). Philosophical principles in the Shona traditional court system. International Journal of Peace and Development Studies, 2(5), 148–155. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.anthro.35.081705.123235.
Hudson-Weems, C. (1993). Africana womanism: Reclaiming ourselves. Bedford Publishers.
Magwa, W. (2019). African culture and heritage in Zimbabwe (Vol. 1). Mambo Press.
Magwa, W. (2019). The didactic role of proverbs in Shona culture. Journal of Language and Culture, 10(2), 24–35.
Makaudze, G. (2013). Folktales as cultural mirrors: The Shona case. African Journal of History and Culture, 5(7), 118–127.
Makaudze, G. (2013). It still makes sense! Shona Ngano (folktales) and the contemporary Zimbabwean socio-economic and cultural setup. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 2(2), 521–529.
Makaudze, G. (2020). Children and childhood in Shona proverbs. Southern African Journal for Folklore Studies, 30(1), 1–16.
Makaudze, G. (2021). An eco-critical exegesis of Shona taboos. Current Writing: Text and Reception in Southern Africa, 33(2), 143–153.
Makaudze, G., & Shoko, P. H. (2015). The re-conceptualisation of Shona and Venda taboos: Towards an Afrocentric discourse. Journal of Pan African Studies, 8(2), 101–120.
Makore, B. T. (2022). Building a culture of peace and nonviolence: Enhancing Shona traditional court systems (Doctoral dissertation).
Makore, R. (2022). Proverbs and community building in African societies. International Journal of African Culture Studies, 5(1), 67–84.
Mangena, T. (2023). Gendering roles, masculinities and spaces: Negotiating transgression in Charles Mungoshi’s and other writings. African Identities, 21(2), 410–424.
Mapara, J. (2009). Indigenous knowledge systems in Zimbabwe: Juxtaposing postcolonial theory. The Journal of Pan African Studies, 3(1), 139–155.
Mapara, J. (2013). Ngano: A platform for the dissemination of Shona unhu/Ubuntu values. In J. Mapara & B. Mudzanire (Eds.), Ubuntu/Unhu philosophy: A brief Shona perspective. Bhabhu Books.
Masaka, D., & Makahamadze, T. (2013). Shona proverbs as a reservoir of values. International Journal of Philosophy and Theology, 1(1), 1–12.
Masaka, D., & Makahamadze, T. (2013). The proverb: A preserver of Shona traditional religion and ethical code. Journal of Pan African Studies, 6(5), 132–143.
Masitera, E. (2019). The moral significance of the dare system in seeking justice and peace among the Shona people of Zimbabwe. In Violence, peace and everyday modes of justice and healing in post-colonial Africa (pp. 291–311). Langaa RPCIG.
Matsika, C. (2012). Traditional African education: Its significance to current education practices with special reference to Zimbabwe. Mambo Press.
Mawere, M. (2013). A critical review of environmental conservation in Zimbabwe. Africa Spectrum, 48(2), 85–97.
Mbembe, A. (2001). On the postcolony. University of California Press.
Mbiti, J. S. (1990). African religions and philosophy. Doubleday.
Mokhoathi, J. (2020). Religious intersections in African Christianity: The conversion dilemma among indigenous converts. Scriptura, 119(1), 1–12.
Mudzanire, B., & Gondo, K. T. (2013). Ubuntu: A proverbial exploration. In J. Mapara & B. Mudzanire (Eds.), Ubuntu/Unhu philosophy: A brief Shona perspective. Bhabhu Books.
Mutanda, D. (2022). Traditional justice mechanisms and reconciliation in Zimbabwe: Assessing the benefits. Social Dynamics, 48(2), 294–313.
Ndlovu-Gatsheni, S. J. (2020). Decolonization, development and knowledge in Africa: Turning over a new leaf. Routledge.
Nopasari, D., Rozak, A., & Wiradinata, R. (2023). Digital folklore text teaching materials loaded with educative values for SMP/MTs students. International Journal of Secondary Education, 11(1), 11–17.
Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., & Moules, N. J. (2017). Thematic analysis: Striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. International journal of qualitative methods, 16(1), 1609406917733847.
Patton, M.Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evolution methods, 4th (ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Pfukwa, C., & Maganga, A. T. (2024). Manjenjenje (dazzling stripes), moyo (hearts) and samanyanga (horns): A semio-onomastic analysis of some mitupo (totems) in Zimbabwe. In V. Jenjekwa (Ed.), Zimbabwe’s history, heritage and culture: A names perspective. MSU Press.
Ramose, M. B. (1999). African philosophy through Ubuntu. Mond Books.
Reniko, G., Mogomotsi, P. K., & Mogomotsi, G. E. (2018). Integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Natural Resources Management in Hurungwe District, Zimbabwe. International Journal of African Renaissance Studies, 13(1), 96–112.
Reniko, T., Muposhi, V., & Chigumira, T. (2018). Totems and taboos in biodiversity conservation. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 10(5), 225–233.
Saad, S., Malik, H., & Nor, M. (2023). Digitising folklore for modern education. Journal of Digital Humanities and Education, 5(2), 77–95.
Saad, S., Subri, S., & Zolkifli, A. N. F. (2023). Pop A Tale: Popularising indigenous folktales in digital media. Malaysia Journal of Invention and Innovation, 2(6), 22–32.
Sarfo, E. (2023). Negotiating between Christianity and African traditional religion in Africa. Journal of African Theology, 18(2), 92–108.
Sarfo, F. O. (2023). Perspectives on the challenges of Christianity and African traditional religion throughout the ages to contemporary times. Journal of Basic and Applied Research International, 29(6), 30–49.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2019). Research Methods for Business Students. (8th ed.) Pearson Education.
Taringa, B. (2014). Implications of the portrayal of women in Shona proverbs for gender-sensitive teaching and learning of Chishona. Journal of Gender Studies, 23(3), 341–352.
Tatira, L. (2000). The role of Zviera in socialisation. In E. Chiwome, Z. Mguni, & M. Furusa (Eds.), Indigenous knowledge and technology in African and diasporan communities: Multi-disciplinary approaches (pp. 55–70). Southern African Association for Culture and Development Studies.
Tatira, L. (2013). Aspects of Ubuntu/Unhu as encapsulated in Zviera (taboos). In J. Mapara & B. Mudzanire (Eds.), Ubuntu/Unhu philosophy: A brief Shona perspective. Bhabhu Books.
Tudge, J. R., Mokrova, I., Hatfield, B. E., & Karnik, R. B. (2009). Uses and misuses of Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory of human development. Journal of family theory & review, 1(4), 198-210.
Zimmerman, B. J. (2000). Self-efficacy: An essential motive to learn.Contemporary educational psychology, 25(1), 82-91.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Upon acceptance and publication, authors grant The Dyke a non-exclusive licence to publish and distribute their article in all formats and media. This means: Authors may freely share, deposit, and republish their work (e.g., in institutional repositories, websites, or future publications), provided proper citation and acknowledgment of The Dyke as the original publisher.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles in The Dyke are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Under this licence:
- Others may copy, redistribute, remix, transform, and build upon the work for any purpose, even commercially.
- Appropriate credit must be given to the original author(s) and source (The Dyke), along with a link to the license.
- Any changes made must be indicated.
Full licence details: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Archiving and Preservation
The Dyke supports long-term preservation of scholarly work through partnerships with digital repositories and indexing services, including Sabinet African Journals. Authors are also encouraged to deposit a copy of their published article in institutional or subject-specific repositories.
