What Did We Do to Our Mountain? African Eco-Feminist and Indigenous Responses to Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani and Chipinge Districts, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Cyclone Idai caused untold devastation in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, Zimbabwe. In scenes reminiscent of the biblical deluge, in some places entire settlements were eradicated from the face of the earth. Houses were swept away, bodies were submerged and water, typically understood as the source of life, became the source of death. Individuals, families, communities and nations were left traumatized, and the search for meaning continues. Inevitably, religion featured prominently in explanations of this tragedy. This article is a preliminary review of the explanations of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, Zimbabwe, within the frame of African Traditional Religion/s (ATR/s) and Christianity. The article delves into questions at the interface of climate change and religion, such as: how do survivors of the cyclone explain its occurrence? What do we learn about the interface between religion and climate change in Africa from the responses to Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts? The article adopts the African ecofeminist perspective. This is informed by the fact that women and girls comprise the bulk of the population heavily impacted by Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani and Chipinge as well as the fact that they are the ones who were in the forefront of mitigating the impact of devastation caused by this ecological catastrophe. Our article seeks to contribute to the ongoing scholarly discussions on the nexus between religion, gender and climate change by foregrounding the experiences of women and girls affected by Cyclone Idai. The first part of the article describes the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai. The second part outlines the Christian and indigenous interpretations of the cyclone. The third part of the article teases out the indigenous interpretations of unpredictable weather patterns.

The impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on women’s responsibility for domestic food provision: The Case of Marondera Urban in Zimbabwe

“…Women have many tasks to undertake at the household level. They are the most affected by the effects of the restrictions; when there is a shortage of food, they are affected; this concurs with Chirongoma and Chitando's (2021) assertion that women tend to suffer more when disasters strike communities. This means that the process of securing food for the family affects their mental and physical health, as they are forced to stretch in order to meet the demands of the family.…”

“…http://www.hts.org.za Open Access findings, 'while everyone is facing unprecedented challenges, women are bearing the brunt of the economic and social fallout of COVID-19' (UN Women 2020). This idea is buttressed by Chirongoma and Chitando (2021), who also posit that women bear the brunt of disasters.…”

Religion and Climate Change in Africa: A gendered perspective

“…The church can facilitate income-generating activities for women that align with sustainable practices. For instance, women can be supported in starting eco-friendly businesses, such as organic farming, renewable energy enterprises, or sustainable crafts [26]. By promoting economic empowerment, the church can enable women to have a greater say in decision-making processes related to environmental conservation [12].…”

“…Advocacy and policy engagement is another strategy that the church can utilize in empowering women. The church can advocate for gender-responsive environmental policies and regulations that address the specific needs and priorities of women [27]. This can involve engaging with policymakers, participating in policy dialogs, and highlighting the importance of women's involvement in decision-making processes related to climate change and environmental issues [12].…”

Rage against the Port City: Southern theologies mobilising for climate justice

“…A drought in Madagascar in 2020 triggered a largescale humanitarian crisis. Sophia Chirongoma (2020), reflecting on the impact of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani, asks the question, how did water, that was once the source of life, now become the source of death? The death began in the Global South, and it is also in the Global South that for many years, different voices have argued against the 'death-creating' structures of unfettered capitalism that takes without mercy.…”