Book

The Shona peoples: an ethnography of the contemporary Shona, with special reference to their religion

Mambo Press1 • Published In 1976 • Pages: 399

By: Bourdillon, M. F. C..

Abstract
This work, based on the author's year and a half of fieldwork in a Shona community, presents a brief study of the cultural history of the Shona people followed by more detailed data on traditional and contemporary life with particular reference to kinship, marriage and the family, agriculture, political organization, law, religion and magical beliefs, medicine, labor migrations, and urbanization. The source leans heavily toward religious beliefs and practices with emphasis on witchcraft, death and the afterlife, the spirit world, and the traditional (or tribal) vs. contemporary religion of the people. The final chapter also provides some interesting insights into the effects urbanization upon the Shona.
Subjects
Historical reconstruction
History
Kinship terminology
Clans
Lineages
Mode of marriage
Arranging a marriage
Public welfare
Urban and rural life
Districts
Community structure
Chief executive
Judicial authority
Magicians and diviners
Magical and mental therapy
Shamans and psychotherapists
Congregations
Religious denominations
culture
Shona
HRAF PubDate
2014
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Southern Africa
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Types
Ethnologist
Missionary
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle; 1991
Field Date
1969-1970
Coverage Date
1969-1976
Coverage Place
Zimbabwe
Notes
by Michael F.C. Bourdillon
Includes bibliographical references (p. 375-388)
LCCN
77376315
LCSH
Shona (African people)
Shona (African people)--Religion