Social work ethos in indigenous Shona music: a qualitative content analysis of the song Mugariro (Ephat Mujuru, 1994) through Ubuntu philosophy and Ukama construct in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Several analysts working within the dominant Western paradigms are unwilling to evaluate and examine their indigenous perspectives as they find their structures to be culturally dependent rather than logical. Inspired by the principles of decolonial social work, this article analyses the song Mugariro (a way of living) by Ephat Mujuru, 1994, through the African philosophy of Ubuntu and its construct of ukama (relatedness/ relationality). Utilizing qualitative content analysis, this paper latently explores the song Mugariro and reflects on themes such as a good way of life, Ukama (relatedness/ relationality), an extension of Ukama to non-humans, global citizenship and spirituality in social work. The paper calls for social workers willing to work towards decolonial social work to tap into the knowledge in their localities and integrate it with social work knowledge were possible.

How to reference using ASWNet style:

Chigangaidze, R. K. (2023). Social work ethos in indigenous Shona music: a qualitative content analysis of the song Mugariro (Ephat Mujuru,1994) through Ubuntu philosophy and Ukama construct in Zimbabwe.  African Journal of Social Work, 13(6), 285-293. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v13i6.2

Visit journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net