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Old Wine in New Wine Skins: Tombstone Unveiling as a Case of Religious Innovation and Change in Zimbabwean Christianity
Abstract
This article reflects on the practice of Tombstone Unveiling, a recent
phenomenon among Shona Christians in Zimbabwe, as a case of religious
change. Historically, many church doctrines and practices have been negative
towards African Traditional Religions (ATRs). Shona Christians have reacted
by trying to accommodate the two religious traditions and through efforts
to replace some Shona religious practices with similar conceptual categories
anchored in Christianity. Beyond the reactions of accommodation and
replacement are external social factors which include modernisation and
urbanisation. It is noted that the dynamics of religious change are not only
located at the points of contact between the two religious traditions but are
also internal.
phenomenon among Shona Christians in Zimbabwe, as a case of religious
change. Historically, many church doctrines and practices have been negative
towards African Traditional Religions (ATRs). Shona Christians have reacted
by trying to accommodate the two religious traditions and through efforts
to replace some Shona religious practices with similar conceptual categories
anchored in Christianity. Beyond the reactions of accommodation and
replacement are external social factors which include modernisation and
urbanisation. It is noted that the dynamics of religious change are not only
located at the points of contact between the two religious traditions but are
also internal.
