Charity Nkomo
Gender Affairs and Community Reporter
Bulawayo – In the past, elders used ukuzila —cultural taboos or warnings—to guide and protect children.
A simple phrase like, “Don’t do this, kuyazila,” was enough to make a child obey without question.
These warnings were taken seriously, serving as safeguards against danger. But today, the reverence for ukuzila is fading.
Modern children no longer accept these age-old cautions without scrutiny. When told “kuyazila,” many now respond with “kuzilani?” —demanding explanations. Some even challenge the warnings outright.
“Instead of saying kuyazila, they should just tell me what will really happen. If I sit on the road, I could get hit by a car—not that I’ll grow ithumba (a hunched back or boil),” said 12-year-old Luyanda.
Gone are the days when a single phrase could deter mischief. Parents and grandparents now struggle to enforce discipline as children question and test boundaries.
“Our elders were wise. We didn’t question them. If they said, ‘Don’t go there,’ we didn’t go. Now, children don’t believe in ukuzila anymore,” lamented Gogo Mamoyo.
For instance, telling a child,
“Don’t walk backwards, or your mother will fall into eqhageni (traditional calabash)” no longer works. Today’s children retort,
“My mother doesn’t even fit in eqhageni!” Yet, in the past, such warnings were taken as absolute truth.
Some attribute this shift to the internet, while others believe children today are simply more curious or skeptical. Whatever the cause, the tradition of ukuzila is slowly disappearing—and with it, an ancient method of protection and guidance.
As society evolves, a critical question arises: Are we losing a vital part of our culture?
Ukuzila carry the wisdom of generations, and if they fade into obscurity, we risk forgetting the lessons of our ancestors.
“Times have changed,” sighed one elder.
“But we must find a way to keep our traditions alive—even if the children no longer fear ukuzila.”
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