Mwali in Venda: Some observations on the significance of the High God in the late 19th and early 20th century

Abstract

The title of the paper suggests a tentative investigation into the nature of the belief in Mwali in Venda and its historical significance. Initial research into the problem was stimulated by reading Daneel (1) and Ranger's (2) studies on the Mwari cult in Rhodesia. Ranger looked at the tremendous influence the cult had during the 1896-97 rebellions in Rhodesia. The cult had an intertribal nature and also fulfilled the role of an "intelligence service". It is a striking feature of revolts encountered in many Third World countries that an alternative source of legitimation for political authority and action is often ultimately located with the highest religious authority. This, for example was the case with Ngai the High God of the Kikuyu during the Mau Mau movement. An activation of an otiose Being in terms of the legitimation of an alternative desired order of things is not unknown in the literature. Revolts aiming at the realisation of a new state of affairs also have to cope with the ethnic diversity of those who wish to change their fate. This also has consequences for the source of legitimation who may then be accorded an intertribal character. (3) In the case of Mwari however, there is clear evidence that he had intertribal significance for a long period before the rebellions occurred.