The Shona Conception of Euthanasia: A Quest to Depart from Zimbabwe Tradition

Abstract

Euthanasia is among the most popular titles of several academic debates on studying prevailing social norms concerning medical ethics, and thus, most of the literature focuses either on arguments for or against euthanasia. The Shona culture of Zimbabwe is one culture that abnegates euthanasia. This paper therefore invites and critically reflects on the position of euthanasia maintained by the Shona through tsumo (proverbs), zvirahwe (riddles), madimikira (idioms) and ngano (folklore) which were traditionally used to inculcate traditional values, customary laws and general rules of conduct in society. The piece then advances the argument that the conception of euthanasia bythe Shona is extreme, rigid, narrowlyfocused, and therefore philosophically implausible. This also applies to arguments that have been forwarded for euthanasia by Western scholars throughout history. There are some cases that warrant euthanasia and others which do not. Hence, the debate between pro-euthanasia partisans and anti-euthanasia partisans can’t be settled unless ‘the right to choose death’ is recognized as a civil right and not as a natural right or otherwise.