Brothers fight over rain-making shrine

Battle lines have been drawn between two brothers over the control of a rain making shrine popularly known as "KoManyangwa" in Plumtree.

The religious shrine is located 25 kilometers from Plumtree town along Thekwane-Ndolwane road between Nyele and Tjehanga communities.

Spirit mediums "amahosana" believe the god of rain used to reside at KoManyangwa and this has seen a number of traditionalists paying pilgrimage to the site, that doubles as a rain making area.

Every year, spirit mediums some from Botswana and neighbouring districts visit the shrine in August to mid September.

The guardianship of KoManyangwa is passed on to the first born son, where he assumes control the shrine after the death of his father.

Heir apparent Nduwe Dube, who was working in South Africa refused to guard the shrine saying he was uninterested in traditional rites.

The offer was passed on to his younger brother Gatcon Magwandara Dube who has been controlling the shrine.

Gatcon told Radio Dialogue the problem started in 2013 after Nduwe returned home from South Africa, wanting to reclaim the post he had initially refused.

"The elders persuaded Nduwe for years, pleading for him to come and lead but he totally refused. Nduwe only resurfaced at the beginning of 2013 intending to take over the control of the shrine. I refused to step down because I had taken up the post," he said.

This conflict between the two brothers, saw Nduwe forming another religious shrine, near the original site.

He has erected eight huts for the ceremony and already cleared a place where traditionalists are supposed to perform their rituals.

Nduwe explained that he retuned home to reclaim his position because his ancestors were punishing him as he was unable to attain a job in South Africa.

"That is why I was forced to return home. I had bad luck in securing employment and was always involved in car accidents which indicated that l had wronged my ancestors," he said.

A traditionalist, Pea Tshuma, said the community were concerned the feud would further anger the ancestors resulting in drought, misfortunes and culture decadence.

Another traditionalist who spoke on condition of anonymity said the rift between the brothers was confusing the spirit mediums, which is why the rain ceremony has been delayed.

Bulilima Ward nine councillor, Nduna Moyo, said this issue required traditional leaders like Chief Masendu to intervene.

A villager, Margret Ndlovu, who stays in Nyele village under kraal Head Mzwanyana confirmed KoManyangwa has been in existence for the past century and said she was one of the spirit mediums that frequent the shrine.

During the rain making ceremony, the spirit mediums brew traditional beer, sing, dance to traditional songs asking the ancestors enough rains for agriculture and livestock.

KoManyangwa is not the only traditional shrine in Zimbabwe which has been involved in an ownership wrangle. Njelele in Matobo also hit headlines with various groups claiming control of it.