Source: Sanyati community holds all-night vigils to honour fallen heroes – herald
Richard Muponde in Sanyati
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE Sanyati community on Wednesday began a four-day traditional mourning ceremony, marked by all-night vigils (pungwes), as the remains of ZIPRA cadres are being exhumed from mass graves on the banks of Munyati River.
Taking place near Sanyati Rest Camp, the exhumations are part of the Fallen Heroes Trust of Zimbabwe (FHTZ) initiative to honour and spiritually cleanse the area where dozens of liberation fighters were buried during the war against colonial rule.
The ceremonies have attracted villagers from across generations, traditional leaders, and spirit mediums. Traditional beer was brewed, fires lit, and liberation songs echoed throughout the night as the community paid homage to those who paid the ultimate price for Zimbabwe’s independence.
“These pungwes are in remembrance of our gallant sons and daughters who lie buried here,” said Village Head Kafusi, whose village, Kafusi, hosts the mass graves.
“The blood of our heroes was spilt like that of animals. We are trying to correct that wrong, to honour them properly, and to cleanse our land.”
The ZIPRA fighters buried in the mass grave were ambushed and killed by Rhodesian forces during the liberation war in the 1970s. Many were buried secretly and unceremoniously in shallow graves without any recognition.
The mass graves were discovered through spirit mediums, and the testimonies were corroborated by the local community and have also been passed down through generations.
“We’ve suffered for years,” village head Kafusi said.
“Our fields have remained dry while other villages harvest plenty. The spirits of these fighters were not at peace. These exhumations, and the rites we are performing, are not just symbolic they are necessary.”
The spiritual significance of pungwes during the liberation struggle was immense. These night-time gatherings were platforms for political education, revolutionary songs, cultural performances and mobilisation.
Guerrilla fighters used them to galvanise support from villagers, explain the goals of the struggle, and reinforce unity. In Sanyati, they are now being repurposed to heal the wounds of war.
During the ceremony, elders recounted how the Rhodesian forces would track down suspected guerrillas and collaborators. The area along Munyati River was once a strategic corridor for ZIPRA units moving between operational zones and was heavily surveyed. Captured fighters were often tortured, executed and buried in mass graves to erase evidence of their presence.
“This is not just a burial, it’s a restoration of dignity,” said one village elder during the vigil.
“These young people died for our country. They cannot be forgotten.”
The community is working in collaboration with traditional leadership, local historians, and spiritual practitioners to ensure the remains are identified and given proper burials.
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