Zimbabwean artwork

“Trauma, healing and conflict: ngozi spirits in Zimbabwe” — Dr. Diana Jeater (University of Liverpool)

3:30pm - 5:00pm / Wednesday 11th April 2018
Type: Seminar / Category: Department / Series: History Seminar Series
Add this event to my calendar

Create a calendar file

Click on "Create a calendar file" and your browser will download a .ics file for this event.

Microsoft Outlook: Download the file, double-click it to open it in Outlook, then click on "Save & Close" to save it to your calendar. If that doesn't work go into Outlook, click on the File tab, then on Open & Export, then Open Calendar. Select your .ics file then click on "Save & Close".

Google Calendar: download the file, then go into your calendar. On the left where it says "Other calendars" click on the arrow icon and then click on Import calendar. Click on Browse and select the .ics file, then click on Import.

Apple Calendar: The file may open automatically with an option to save it to your calendar. If not, download the file, then you can either drag it to Calendar or import the file by going to File >Import > Import and choosing the .ics file.

Informal trauma healing initiatives based on spirit beliefs are found worldwide. In Zimbabwean Shona traditions, there is belief in a type of spirit called ngozi. This isn't a kind spirit, although it is associated with reconciliation. It uses its own form of terror to impel those who carried out atrocities and injustices to reconcile with and compensate victims’ families.

In the 1980s, ngozi spirit beliefs were widely understood as an effective indigenous way of treating PTSD. More recently, ngozi beliefs have aroused community tensions between Christians and traditionalists.This paper attempts to trace the long history of contestations over the role of spirit beliefs in trauma healing.