Healing in ancient Israelite religion and Shona traditional religion: a comparative analysis

Abstract

Health was an important concern in Ancient Israelite Religion; it is also a major concern in Shona Traditional Religion. This is seen in how the Ancient Israelites preserved health by observing the Mosaic Law and the sanitary code. In Shona Traditional Religion, health is preserved from conception up to adulthood. These two religions share much in common on how they perceive the causes of ill health as a punishment from disobedience. In both religions, there are important religious practitioners who play a significant role in safeguarding the health of people. The study explores why some people undermine the traditional medicine. It argues that this attitude is mainly because of Christian missionaries who undermined the Shona health delivery system. The Shona people are encouraged by the researcher to use traditional medicine which is cheaper and affordable. The Shona people are also exhorted to appreciate traditional medicine because healing was there even before the colonialists came.