The Relationship between God and People in Shona Traditional Religion

This study was carried out between 2005 and the last quarter of 2008 covering spirit mediums in Mashonaland Central and their clients in Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Manicaland and Harare Provinces. The clients of leading spirit mediums, maGombwe, are from all over the country and across the borders. They include other maGombwe, ancestral spirit mediums, mashave mediums, spiritual healers, and herbalists, other patients who include church leaders, business people, politicians, and ordinary people. The maGombwe officiate at gatherings at their residential place, on mountains, by rivers, and in forests, depending on the specific purpose. They also attend to gatherings assembled at clients’ places for different types of celebrations, including thanksgiving by families. Members of families and clans contribute to meet the expenses of such gatherings, which will be attended by maGombwe, ancestral spirit mediums, mashave mediums, traditional healers, relatives, and neighbors. The food and beer consumed at such gatherings must be of African origin and prepared the customary way.Different spirits may compete to possess one medium, and each such spirit may have its own pantheon of mashave spirits. Many spirits may end up possessing one medium for a variety of reasons. Some spirits possess a medium because they are attracted to the medium, while some possess a medium because they have nowhere else to go to, and others possess a medium as payback for services rendered. The different spirits will come in with their entourage of mashave spirits to possess a medium who has become attractive as a result of cleansing that removes unwanted spirits. Spirits cause people to gather, exchange views, and enjoy themselves in the name of the spirits and God. God and spirits are believed to enjoy such gatherings, which demonstrate the oneness of people, spirits, and God.