Situating Marombo as sacred spaces in climate-change discourses among the Ndau people of south-eastern Zimbabwe

Abstract

While work on sacred spaces has persisted for decades, their agency in mitigating climate change remains less explored, especially from indigenous communities’ perspectives. The article unpacks the concept of Ndau marombo as sacred places by exploring how marombo can be used as an agency in a world ravaged by climate change. Rather than seeking generations concerning sacred spaces, this qualitative research was conducted in a Ndau village of Chipinge District, Zimbabwe. Fifteen people aged 55–70 years participated in this study. If one uses the coloniality of knowledge theory, the findings show how Ndau marombo belief and practice in Ndau traditional religion uphold environmental astuteness. In this article, I argue that with substantial and targeted support for the use of indigenous knowledge, rural communities can withstand the adverse impacts of climate change.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The study contributes to the already existing literature on indigenous knowledge and climate change from the perspectives of Ndau spirituality on sacred places. Upholding the sacredness of places is helpful in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 13, Climate Action.