Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MILITARY mystique is a term that refers to the values of discipline, honour, and combat morale that are considered essential for military success.
These values develop over time within armed forces.
Military leaders are expected to pass their mystique onto their subordinates so that they trust the decisions made and are willing to follow them.
However, it is a fact that war takes a toll on soldiers’ bodies and minds.
To prepare for battle, soldiers are taken through various forms of training.
Part of this training seeks to strip candidates of their civilian values and inculcate military culture. While armies have access to an array of contemporary strategies and weaponry during training, one element not often discussed is the rituals incorporated in training and performed before warfare.
Rituals include the magico-religious practices performed for various purposes, like seeking blessings, power, protection or even imbibing military customs.
Rituals or ceremonies are believed to bestow specific abilities upon individuals and shape their behaviours.
After all, war rituals are not exclusive to Africa. Many armed forces all over the world perform them.
A study of rituals in the American military, for instance, found that these ceremonies help soldiers cope with trauma, loss and moral challenges during conflict.
In fact, rituals can function as a source of strength for soldiers.
They instil a sense of confidence and security, as initiates feel encompassed by supernatural power. Additionally, these rituals enhance team spirit, unity, and reinforce discipline and loyalty to commanding officers.
Zimbabwe National Army Commander, Lieutenant-General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, who was the guest of honour during last Friday’s Manicaland province leg of the National Chief’s Day, spoke about the mysterious occurrences that happened during the war of liberation.
Lieutenant-General Sanyatwe said there were times they would wake up in the midst of a bush with a lion in front of them, which would then guide them on their next destination.
“Many things happened during the war that were beyond simple human understanding. We had times that we would sleep in the bush, and the next morning, when we wake up, we would have a lion standing from a distance.
We were told to remain motionless and the next thing that lion would bolt in the direction that we were expected to take. This is one way that the spirit mediums would protect us, and ensured that we successfully executed the war of liberation.
“On some occasions, we would see a huge python in front of us. When that happened, we would again remain motionless, and the python would go in the direction that we were supposed to take. These are some of the strange things that happened during the war of liberation, and kept us strong as liberation war fighters,” said Lieutenant-General Sanyatwe.
Chief Senator James Mutasa echoed the importance of magico-religious occurrences during the war.
“In 1966, when the war of liberation started, it did not start very well because the liberation fighters had not briefed Chief Chiweshe. He then told them that they had not followed procedures, and invited them to Dande where there was the spirit medium for the war of liberation.
“That is where they were told what to do. They were advised to go to Chief Mutema in Chipinge, and upon arrival, call Chiefs Mutasa and Katerere, and then conduct prescribed rituals to start the war. That is when the war took shape and right direction.
“When the war was over, the freedom fighters were told to brief the traditional leadership that the war was over because if that is not done the spirit mediums will remain in war mode. That was then done in 2020. All I am saying is that the relationship between the army and traditional leadership is so strong,” he said.
Chief Senator Mutasa, who spoke on behalf of the traditional leaders, said the relationship between the army and traditional leaders should never be underestimated.
“The relationship between the traditional leadership and the army is so strong and dates back to time immemorial. This is a relationship that should always be cultivated and nurtured, hence this noble idea we are gathered for today,” he said.
Thus, Lieutenant-General Sanyatwe said the bond between the army and traditional leadership started way back.
“The unison between the army and traditional leadership started even in the days of Mbuya Nehanda, who worked closely with Field Marshal Sekuru Kaguvi. They worked closely with chiefs during those times.
“We went on to work with chiefs in the Second Chimurenga, led by Mbuya Mazviona. Mbuya Nehanda would speak through Mbuya Mazviona, who stayed at Tsokoto in Dande.
“When the war was over, the army continued working closely with traditional leaders. The spiritual being of this country moves along with traditional leaders and the army,” he said, a basis which forms the army’s Traditional Leaders Day.
“So let no one be surprised by the army hosting the Traditional Leaders’ Day, it did not start today. It has a history, which Chief Mutasa explained briefly.
“For the war of liberation to be executed well, it was because of unity of purpose between the army and traditional leadership. We, as the army, were just the weapons in the hands of traditional leaders.
“So the real liberators of this country are the traditional leadership. Security forces are children of the traditional leadership, and programmes like this rotate countrywide,” he said.
The Traditional Leaders’ Day programme started in August this year in Midlands Province at Chief Thabeni in Zhombe.
All the provinces have their brigades and Joint Operations Command (JOC) members, who come together to ensure the success of the programme.
Last Friday’s event was the last leg of the programme in Manicaland, hosted at Chief Mutasa’s homestead.
Lieutenant-General Sanyatwe said: “Traditional leaders are the custodians of the soil and sacred places in this country. They are the custodians of our heritage, and are the ones who redress challenges we face as a nation.
“They intercede on our behalf in sacred places for the country to progress well. If it comes to the country’s resources, they (traditional leaders) intercede to make sure minerals are extracted without challenges.”
The Traditional Leaders’ Day initiative was started by President Mnangagwa when he was still the Defence Minister, while Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was still leading the army. It was briefly shelved during the Covid-19 pandemic, but resumed thereafter, exuding the unity that has always prevailed between the army and traditional leadership.
