MODERNISATION AND THE DEMISE OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ON
THE MANAGEMENT OF MISHUKU TREES AND MASHUKU FRUITS
IN CHIZHOU IN CHIRUMANZU DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE

MODERNISATION AND THE DEMISE OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ON
THE MANAGEMENT OF MISHUKU TREES AND MASHUKU FRUITS
IN CHIZHOU IN CHIRUMANZU DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE

REMIGIOS V. MANGIZVO

MTHOKOZISI, M. NCUBE

Traditional practices and taboos have been used for a very long time in Chizhou located within
Chirumanzu District in Zimbabwe to manage mashuku fruits also known as mazhanje
(uapacakirklania) for the benefit of communities. The adaptation of modern values has, however,
resulted in the over-harvesting of fruits as well as destruction of fruit bearing trees. This study
endeavoured to establish why traditional values on the management of mishuku trees have been
abandoned in Chizhou. It also sought to find out the impacts on the environment of the neglect of
these controls. As such this qualitative study sought to gain an understanding of the underlying
reasons, opinions, and motivations of this abandonment. Purposive sampling techniques were
used to select study participants. The study targeted a sub-chief, three headmen and local
traditional leaders with traditional knowledge on the management of mishuku trees and their
fruits. The study also used villagers who were a homogenous group of people that behaved in an
almost similar way towards the utilisation of mishuku trees and the fruits. Face-to-face interviews
and observations were used to gather data from the participants. The study team observed the
behaviour of villagers to obtain first hand information as they harvested fruits for sale. The
study established that activities in Chizhou were unsustainable. Traditional leaders’ power to
manage the trees and fruits was usurped by politicians. Villagers cut mishuku trees for fuelwood
and construction. Due to commercialisation of the fruits villagers harvested even the raw fruits.
Traditionally people were supposed to pick ripe fruits instead of climbing trees to gather fruits.
Wild animals were denied the fruits as villagers picked everything. The study recommended
that traditional leaders should reclaim their authority over the trees and fruits. Chizhou area
should be developed so that villagers have other means of making money other than selling
mashuku

International Open and Distance Learning Journal