Shona Perspectives on Marine Spirit Beliefs with Scientific Ways of Mitigating Effects of Climate Change in Zimbabwe

This paper examines the potential application of the Shona belief system in Njuzu (marine spirits) for the conservation of wetlands and the surrounding indigenous forests. Studies emerging from Africa highlight extensively how evil and mythical the belief in Njuzu's existence is. Yet, little has been done in examining how the belief in Njuzu can be beneficial in safeguarding Zimbabwe’s natural resources if it is combined with scientific methods for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, especially in the preservation of water resources and forests. This paper will briefly explain what Njuzu belief (marine spirits) is all about. It then identifies ways in which indigenous knowledge systems emerging from marine spirits can be merged with scientific knowledge to scale up resilience to climate change. The research uses a qualitative content analysis method to unpack existing IKS literature and scientific mitigating methods literature on pollution, forestation, safeguard against wetlands destruction and find how if merged can be essential in the fight against climate change.