Zimbabwe has a complex history and turbulent present, but the traditional cultures of the country’s various ethnic groups endure. Food shortages and civil unrest have characterized life in Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, since independence from the UK in 1980, obscuring many facets of daily life. There have, however, been some significant improvements in the political and economic climate since the establishment of a power-sharing government in February 2009.
Zimbabwe is home to an estimated 11.65 million people, according to the Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook. The population is 82 percent Shona and 14 percent Ndebele. Smaller ethnic groups include Tonga, Shangaan and Venda. The Shona group comprises numerous subdivisions. The eastern two-thirds of Zimbabwe, called Mashonaland, is home to most of the Shona. The white farmers, who previously were a minority of the population, largely were forced to flee Zimbabwe during President Mugabe’s land redistribution campaign that began in 2000. About 70 percent of the population lives in rural areas.
The official language of Zimbabwe is English. The major indigenous language spoken there is Shona, of which there are multiple dialects. Sindebele, spoken by Ndebele people, is one of the “click” languages. Numerous other tribal dialects are spoken by other minorities. All the national languages, except English, are in the Bantu family of languages.
The traditional societies of Shona, Ndebele, Tonga, Shangaan and Venda peoples have several similarities. In particular, they have similar family structures and beliefs in the spiritual involvement of ancestors in day-to-day life. Traditional day-to-day life for women involves gardening, raising poultry and baking, both for the family and to supplement income. There are two types of legal marriage in Zimbabwe: customary marriages and civil marriages. Polygamy, a legal form of customary marriage, is widespread. Civil marriages, by contrast, are monogamous. Divorce is rare and stigmatized. Zimbabwean children are taught to respect their elders and help with household and farm work starting at about age 7.
According to the World Factbook, 50 percent of Zimbabweans follow a syncretic religion, i.e., a hybrid of Christian and indigenous beliefs. Christians account for 25 percent of the population, with 24 percent practicing only indigenous beliefs. Traditional religions emphasize the spirits of ancestors, who are honored ceremonially and associated with both good and bad fortune.
The life expectancy in Zimbabwe is 47.55 years, the sixth lowest in the world. Life is hard in Zimbabwe, and the economic and political realms of the culture are chaotic. The agricultural sector, which employs 66 percent of the labor force, has been ravaged by governmental policies, turning Zimbabwe into a net importer of food products. Humanitarian food aid is provided by the EU and the US. In 2004, 68 percent of the population lived below the poverty line. The GDP per capita in Zimbabwe in 2009 was less than $100. Since the establishment of a power-sharing government in February 2009, the economy has been relieved of hyper-inflation and is growing for the first time in more than a decade.
The arts are highly regarded in Zimbabwe, with numerous training centers in bigger cities. Sculpture is a significant art form, along with traditional women’s crafts, such as basket-weaving, mat-weaving and pottery. Shona sculpture is highly valued in international markets and can fetch thousands of dollars. Shona and Ndebele literature has been promoted since the late 1950s; many works are based on traditional oral literature, with themes of folklore and local myths.
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