By HRH Princess Eugene Majuru, Princess of Harare
Harare, ( News of The South) – Zimbabwe’s vibrant capital, is a city without a soul. It’s a city without its traditional heart, a leader whose authority is not derived from a ballot box but from the very land and history it stands on. The city’s original name, Salisbury, was a colonial imposition, a deliberate erasure of the pre-existing indigenous society led by Paramount Chief Mbari.
Before the colonial era, Chief Mbari of the Shumba Gurundoro clan ruled the area now known as Harare and part of Mazowe. His leadership was not just political; it was spiritual and social, rooted in the traditions of his people. The very names of geographical features, like Harare itself (a corruption of “Neharawa,” the name of a chief in the Seke area), Mbare, and Dzivarasekwa, are a testament to the ancestral connection to the land. The chieftaincy was the nucleus of resistance during the First Chimurenga, with Chief Mbari’s people playing a pivotal role. Tragically, this traditional authority was intentionally destroyed by the forces of colonialism, leaving a void that has never been filled.
The Authority of a Paramount Chief
A Paramount Chief’s power isn’t granted by a government minister; it’s inherited and carries the weight of a people’s history and identity. This authority is multifaceted:
Land and Resource Custodianship: The Paramount Chief is the primary authority on customary law, including land allocation and dispute resolution. They are the guardians of the community’s most vital resource.
Cultural and Spiritual Leadership: A chief is the custodian of ancestral traditions, rituals, and sacred sites. They are the link between the living and the ancestors, essential for cultural continuity and spiritual well-being.
Social Cohesion and Conflict Resolution: The chief is the ultimate arbiter in local disputes, using traditional methods to maintain peace and harmony. They are a unifying force, often described as the “glue that holds the broom together,” symbolizing strength in unity.
What a Chief Could Be Doing for Harare
By going for so many years without a Paramount Chief, Harare is missing out on a vital layer of governance and social well-being. The absence of this traditional authority has left the city feeling disconnected from its roots. A restored chieftaincy could play a crucial role in:
Development: A chief can act as a catalyst for local development projects, using their influence to attract and manage community-based initiatives, from infrastructure to social programs. They can serve as a trusted liaison between the community and external partners.
Society: A chief can foster social cohesion by promoting a sense of shared identity and belonging. They could lead initiatives for community clean-up, youth engagement, and the revival of traditional social norms that build a strong, cohesive society.
Culture: A chief is the guardian of intangible cultural heritage. They could revitalize traditional festivals, ceremonies, and arts, ensuring that Harare’s unique cultural identity is not lost to the forces of modernization and globalization.
Cleansing and Blessings: In many African cultures, a chief is responsible for performing rituals for the spiritual cleansing of the land and blessing new projects or major events. The absence of a chief means these important spiritual rites, which provide a sense of security and purpose to the community, are no longer practiced in a formal, recognized capacity.
The Consequences of a Vacant Throne
Harare’s lack of a Paramount Chief represents a profound loss. It’s a city that has been severed from its historical and spiritual foundation. While colonialists may have physically destroyed the chieftaincy, its absence today continues to leave a void. It’s a missing piece of governance that could provide the moral authority and social cohesion that legal and political systems often fail to deliver. The city’s current inhabitants, from a range of ethnic backgrounds, have lost a unifying cultural figure who could help bridge divides and anchor the city’s future in its rich past. The memory of Paramount Chief Mbari remains, a silent reminder of the traditional heritage that Harare has been forced to do without.
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