Harisi Zuva reMusikanzwa — Love Must Be Practised Daily : Traditional

Takudzwa Karowangoro

In Zimbabwe, traditional leaders view Valentine’s Day not as a once-off celebration, but as a reminder that love should be practised every day. They emphasise that African culture promotes continuous affection, respect, and responsibility within families, rather than concentrating love on a single calendar date.

Traditional elders under the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA) say Zimbabwean tradition places strong value on day-to-day love that keeps homes united and peaceful. According to ZINATHA Secretary for Finance, Tateguru Ndudzo, Valentine’s Day itself carries little cultural importance.

“In our culture, we encourage people to love each other every day. Homes should always be filled with love and happiness. Celebrating love once a year does not make sense when love should exist at all times,” Ndudzo explains.

He adds that traditional values promote constant love, not seasonal or symbolic gestures. Ndudzo notes that Valentine’s Day has, in some cases, become a source of tension rather than unity.

“Some married men buy Valentine’s gifts for girlfriends outside marriage while their own homes lack love. When wives later discover this, families break down,” he says.

Traditional leaders also point out that, despite being described as a day of love, Valentine’s Day sometimes ends in conflict. Ndudzo says disagreements, fights, and domestic disputes often increase during this period, contradicting the true meaning of the day.

From a cultural perspective, prominent traditional healer Sekuru Banda explains that the celebration of love is not new to African societies. Long before Valentine’s Day was introduced, African communities already had cultural practices centred on strengthening relationships.

“In our culture, there was a day known as ‘zuva remoyo umwe’ chete the day of one heart. Couples would spend the day together, away from daily responsibilities, talking about love, reflecting on how they came together, and resolving issues peacefully,” Sekuru Banda explains.

He adds that this practice was not limited to young couples, as elders also participated. The celebration was flexible sometimes lasting one day and, in other cases, three days and was not tied to the month of February.

“The focus was on unity, understanding, and restoring harmony in the home,” he says.

Traditional leaders further argue that modern Valentine’s Day celebrations often prioritise material gifts over genuine care and responsibility. In Zimbabwean culture, love is demonstrated through daily actions providing, protecting, respecting, and remaining faithful rather than through once-off gestures.

Voices from the Streets of Harare

On the streets of Harare, residents shared mixed views about Valentine’s Day and its meaning.

Tendai Moyo, a 29-year-old commuter omnibus driver in the city centre, said love should not be commercialised.

“Valentine’s Day is nice, but real love is about how you treat someone every day. If you only buy flowers on 14 February and ignore your partner the rest of the year, that’s not love,” he said.

Rudo Chikore, a vendor in Mbare, agreed that daily care matters more than expensive gifts.

“We don’t need big presents. Even helping with groceries or checking on your partner shows love. Our parents didn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, but their marriages lasted,” she said.

However, not everyone dismisses the celebration. Tapiwa Dube, a university student, believes Valentine’s Day can still have meaning.

“There’s nothing wrong with celebrating love on a special day. As long as it doesn’t destroy families, it can just be a reminder to appreciate each other,” he said.

While Valentine’s Day continues to gain popularity, Zimbabwe’s traditional leaders maintain that love should remain a daily commitment rooted in cultural values that strengthen families, preserve unity, and promote social harmony.