Revitalising Indigenous Names in Balancing Environmental Science: A Case of Ignored Names of Places in Rusitu Valley

Abstract

Indigenous names of places that the Ndau community of Rusitu Valley has ignored have contributed to life-threatening calamities such as water-related conflicts, environmental degradation, and cyclones to current and future generations. This study examined how narrow options for survival and challenges in the Rusitu Valley have continued to expose the vulnerable Ndau community to a direct conflict with nature. The study employed the re-imagination of nature theory as a lens in revitalizing indigenous names of places that have been ignored by the Ndau community. This theory was aligned with a new environmental worldview that recognizes a greater integration with the world’s traditional base, namely the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS). Thus, the study found that indigenous names given to nature by locals are enough evidence of human-nature coexistence and guarantee environmental protection. However, the study revealed that environmental oversight given by the current generation and development architectures have continued to dynamically change their nature, context, and continuum. Thus, the study aimed to analyze the reasons behind ignoring indigenous names of places, the challenges encountered after this negligence, and to ascertain the significance of such names in addressing the problems that emerged. The research used in-depth interviews, observations, and content analysis to establish the realities around the ignored names such as Chirambadota (a place where no fire will ever burn), Ndadzingwa (to be chased away from your indigenous land) and Pene (an upper place regarded as a natural asset by forefathers). The study also revealed that socio-economic activities by the locals and development proponents that neglect the coexistence of indigenous names of places and Environmental Science may proffer serious implications. In light of this scenario, the study concluded with a call for revitalizing historical indigenous names of places, especially the negative ones, to balance the socio-economic activities of the locals and Environmental Science.