Towards the inculturation of marriage rituals in the National Baptist Convention of Zimbabwe: A missiological critique

Abstract

In thisstudy, I seek to give a missiological critique of the inculturation of marriage rituals in the National Baptist Convention (NBC) of Zimbabwe. I examine and explore the kind of inculturation that could help expedite greater engagement between the NBC of Zimbabwe, on the one hand, and the Shona and Ndebele cultures, on the other hand, in Midlands and Matabeleland regions. To that end, I use missiological research methodologies that include Pastoral Cycles, especially the four phase and the seven-point praxis matrix as propounded, among others, by Kritzinger (2010). I apply the latter as a grid of missiological questions. I apply these cycles in a mixed-research approach of quantitative and qualitative paradigms. The case study and descriptive survey are my designs. I chose as my research sample 140 research respondents from six of the thirteen denominations of the Convention in two regions, namely, the Midlands and the Matabeleland. These include National Executive members, pastors, elders, deacons, church committee members and ordinary lay members. Questionnaires, interviews and observations are used as instruments. The findings reveal that marriage rituals are significant to members of the NBC of Zimbabwe. They show how the NBC of Zimbabwe inculturated payment of bride price, ululating, dancing, and guidance and counselling into church practices. Marrying someone whose background is known was also inculturated. Respondents argue that these aspects of culture are biblically commendable and should be retained. However, polygamy, divination and ancestor veneration is rejected. The study further shows that the kusungira ritual and conducting marriage rituals in the November month are controversial. However, the inculturation of some aspects of marriage rituals was hindered by fear of syncretism, clash of doctrines and differing views within members of many ethnic tribes in the Convention. The study recommends that the NBC of Zimbabwe should encourage the payment of the bride price, whilst discouraging its abuse and that Church leaders should also handle with sensitivity controversies surrounding payment of the bride price. It also emphasises the preaching and teaching against views that perpetuate patriarchy and subordination of women by men in the church and society and encourages fusion of church and traditional wedding ceremonies.