what one already knows that syncretism abounds. Cults are also on the rise as people add their own spin to the established doctrine.

 

THE ZAMBEZI RIVER GOD: The Zambezi valley people has a story that is based in ancestral worship background. Though it is not daily worshipped the underlying belief is among the people. They believe in Nyaminyami, the riverGod. It is said to have a body like a snake and a head like a fish and no one knows how big he is, for he never showed himself in full display.

 

It is a fear based belief that seeks a god who protects and provides. The people pledged their allegiance and appease the god by performing ceremonial dances. The people of Zambezi Valley claims were protected by ancestral spirit Nyaminyami, who fed them from his own meat in times of hunger and one wonders how he fed them for he never display himself. The belief is that Nyaminyami and his wife stayed safely at Kariba, the spot near where their villages were. One season before the building of the Kariba Dam wall was built Nyaminyami's wife had gone down the mighty Kariwa Gorge to other people of the Valley to answer their prayers and bless her people when white man came to build a wall. And thus he was separated with his wife. He caused some floods and loss of life, but at last he was kind enough to let the wall to be all complete. It is also believed that the occasional earth tremor felt in the lake surroundings is caused by this spirit.

 

Great bodies of water are considered sacred, for water is essential for the life of the village in an often arid land. Wherever there is water, the Africans find prosperity. The Nyaminyami is the ruler of water and his symbol is worn to ward of the forces of darkness and to attract wealth. Each part of the Nyaminyami walking stick is symbolic and has a meaning.

 

The Handle: represents "Nyaminyami The snake like god" who the Zambezi valley people believe is their spirit god (Mudzimu) and that the occasional earth tremor felt in the lake surroundings is caused by this spirit. The Wood: Carved from Mopani tree which is found in the Zambezi Valley, the Spirals represent the waves on the Zambezi River, the fish is representative of the staple food of the Tonga people, who prior to the building of Kariba Dam, fished daily on the Zambezi River. The Figures: represents people on the Zambezi River banks during their ceremonial dances. The Wooden Rings: represents the bangles worn by the Tonga woman as a decoration during ceremonial dances. The sign of the Hand: represents the holding of the "Magical Ball" used by the Tonga fortune tellers to guard against evil spirits. Women's Bubble Pipe (incelwa): is normally a long pipe made from a calabash and is used by the Tonga people for smoking tobacco. In the past these pipes where used for smoking "dagga" - Tonga tradition.

 

ANCESTRAL MEDIATION:In general, people believe they communicate with God through their deceased ancestors. This is done by going to a spirit medium who in turn communicates with these ancestors on their behalf. These ancestral spirits then communicate with God. Although the ancestors are not worshiped, there is a practice of appeasement to wronged or neglected ancestors.