The Paradox of ‘Water Is Life’ in a Water Rationed City During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Chitata, Tavengwa; Masere, Tirivashe Philip; Mudereri, Bester Tawona; Ndau, Blessing Mirika; Zirebwa, Solomon Farai; Sammie, Batanai Lovemore; Mhindu, Rangarirayi Lucia; Mufute, Ngonidzashe Lewis; Makwena, Kudakwashe; Chipunza, Dzikamai; Sibanda, Joy Mufaro; Mureri, Augustine; Mupfiga, Elvis Tawanda; Zhou, Neil Mandinyenya; Mugandani, Raymond

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-21472-1_15

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Furthermore, to the extent that water plays an important role in the fertility of fields and plants, and provides much-needed nutrients for the human body, and it is seen in many cultures as a symbol of life itself; hence, the broad term living water. As correctly noted by several scholars including but not limited to Avidar (2018), almost all human cultures on the African continent share the sentiments underscored by the phrase 'water is life' (Avidar 2018, p. 1;Chitata et al 2023). Referring to it as being among Arab proverbs, Hoffman (2019) restated 'The Arab saying "water is life' is truism-without water you die"' (Hoffman 2019, p. 2).…”

Section: The Living Water(s)mentioning

confidence: 96%

Uncovering Covert Syncretic Holy Water among ANPCs in South Africa

Thinane

2023

Religions

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In most societies where Christianity is dominant, it has manifested itself in different ways, reflecting its admixture with indigenous religious practices, an admixture commonly seen in most African contexts. This is evidenced by overt syncretic practices and rarely covert syncretic practices that conceal the blending of beliefs, including belief in the mystical powers of water. In part, this explains why African Christian believers, particularly African Pentecostal believers in most African countries, often uncritically believe claims about holy water. To that end, this article examines the literature to uncover the existence of covert syncretic holy water in African Neo-Pentecostal Churches (ANPC), particularly in South Africa, where ANPC pastors make arbitrary claims about the power of holy water. Contrary to the apparent syncretism, claims about holy water as witnessed among ANPCs in South Africa, covertly combine elements of two belief systems (ancient African traditions and contemporary African Christianity), resulting in covert syncretic holy water. As little or no literature understands the covert syncretic holy water, the work of this paper warrants future research to further examine the covert syncretic holy water, particularly in relation to ANPC holy water claims.

show abstract

Section: The Living Water(s)mentioning

confidence: 96%

Uncovering Covert Syncretic Holy Water among ANPCs in South Africa

Thinane

2023

Religions

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

The Paradox of ‘Water Is Life’ in a Water Rationed City During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 1 publication

References 38 publications

Uncovering Covert Syncretic Holy Water among ANPCs in South Africa

Uncovering Covert Syncretic Holy Water among ANPCs in South Africa

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About