Page 112 - IJPS-10-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Climate change-induced human mobility

in Zimbabwe. The emerging data were grouped into when I awoke to find myself surrounded by water that
themes. The researcher used the two Afrocentric tenets – was pouring into the room. My home was reduced
historicity and culture – to explain the decision-making to rubble in one night, and there were numerous
process by the Ndau people concerning mobility in their reports of missing persons the following morning.
community. The incidents were extremely distressing to endure.
I could only offer whatever assistance I could summon
3.1. Community perceptions on the impact of as a young person then.” (Participant A17, community
climate change-related disasters in Chimanimani member, male, talking cycles, Kopa, Chimanimani).
The researcher observed from field data that the The historical narratives provided by the participants reveal
Chimanimani people are susceptible to both sudden and that people experienced both physically and emotionally
gradual climate change-induced catastrophes, such as suffering. The occurrence of the cyclone made many people
cyclones, storms, and heavy precipitation, which can lead to relocate to other areas such as Machongwe, Chitsa, Chikukwa,
landslides and floods. These events result in various forms and other surrounding areas less prone to disaster. In addition,
of human displacement in the area. The research assistants people began to heed the warnings of the extension officers
and the researcher visited two communities severely and other community leaders about the changing climate.
impacted by Cyclone Idai: Kopa and Ngangu. More than 80 Before the occurrence of the catastrophic cyclone Idai,
households were destroyed, over 300 individuals remained people negated advice to move from their birthplace to safer
missing, and an estimated 270,000 individuals were areas. The participants noted that the catastrophic situation
displaced, according to non-governmental organizations they found themselves in was a result of the failure in land
operating in the area (Tirivangasi et al., 2021b). Talking- distribution in the area. In its colonial times, good fertile
cycle discussions were successfully conducted by the
researcher at both Chikukwa and Ngangu. To initiate this and arable land was taken by forestry companies and white
investigation, the researcher questioned the participants farmers in the area, and then post-colonial district politics
regarding their perspectives on climate change, personal resulted in people living where they were (Spiegel et al.,
2023). A township was built in low-lying areas, while others
encounters with climatic events that transpired in
the region, and their corresponding reactions. Many settled in areas below the mountains. An elderly participant
participants recounted their experiences with Cyclone Idai remarked, “Rwizi harukanganwe parwakafamba napo,” which
with deep sorrow, noting how the disaster had significantly translates to, “A river does not forget where it flowed before.”
impacted their lives. Several participants expressed their Despite warnings to move away from the low-lying areas,
views regarding the cyclone and its impact. town planners did not heed these concerns. Although most
people no longer follow cultural beliefs, the Ndau people are
“There were dead people all over, and individuals were well attached to their environment. This has made it difficult
weeping for various reasons. Some were bereft because for some to see the changing environment as dangerous
they had been separated from their families, while others to them. However, following Cyclone Idai, some affected
had been bereaved of relatives. We had to assist everyone individuals were relocated, while others moved independently
we could. Although help arrived very late, we had to safer locations, leaving some still desperate for permanent
already begun assisting one another to stay alive before shelter and the resumption of livelihoods (Mudombi, 2019).
help from the government arrived.” (Participant A24, Often during the discussions, the participants mentioned
community member, male, talking cycles, Ngangu village, that the occurrence of the heavy destructive rain was due
Chimanimani). to the people’s failure to appease gods using traditional
Another participant added: means. In the past, three chiefs would go to the community’s
sacred place to appease gods and perform necessary rituals.
“After their residences were severely damaged or However, this has not been happening. This revealed that
destroyed, many people were left without shelter. the Ndau people are religious people, and once they used
Hotels and institutions were converted into makeshift to uphold their African religious beliefs, and this prevented
shelters. Others stayed in empty businesses or with them from catastrophic events like climate-induced disasters,
relatives and friends whose homes were unaffected
by the catastrophe, while I was accepted at a local that is, droughts, cyclones, or floods (Gwimbi, 2009). Despite
hotel and later moved to my friend’s place. “I am the the visible changes in climate, there was hope from all the
only surviving member of my family.” Why should participants who participated.
it be me? I never cease to ponder. After, it had been The following sections discuss the short- and long-
raining consistently on March 14, 2019, I could only term mobility patterns that emanated as a result of
hear sounds. I was both perplexed and horrified climate-related disasters such as tropical Cyclone Idai,

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 106 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2983