NANGAS, VAROYI, AND MIDZIMU - THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF TRADITIONALBELIEFS IN THE ZIMBABWE-NATIONAL-ARMY

This article challenges the notion of the military as a bureaucratic i nstitution through an examination of the institutionalization of belie fs in the power of diviner-healers, ancestral spirits, and witches in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). The findings are based upon twenty q ualitative interviews with members of the elite Paragroup of the ZNA. Findings show that traditional beliefs play a role in intelligence gat hering, leadership, individual protection, and explaining mysterious e vents in the operational arena. Off the battlefield, traditional belie fs influence promotions and combat service, and mediate conflicts betw een the military and society. It was also found that the manifestation of beliefs depends in part on the combat environment and leadership, while the rejection of beliefs is attributed to technology, training, and personal history. In conclusion, it is shown that apparently nonra tional beliefs are effectively institutionalized inter the ZNA.