It is safe to say that Guta RaMwari is about maintaining the good practices of African culture, particularly the culture of giving praise to God for giving His people life and the means through which they survive.
It is God who gives people rain and life, gifts that cannot be bought anywhere else on this earth. As such, grateful people show their gratitude by giving back to the Creator what they have managed to gather throughout their lively year. God does not require gifts but requires people to acknowledge the fact that they are not in control of life, but God is, and people recognize that. So just as it was in the past, GRM children ought to recognize their source of life.
Besides offering our gifts to God, what else is done during this season and who is allowed to participate in the harvest ceremony? Everyone who is a GRM child is part of this culture. The second part of this season is the three songs that are sung to plead to God for rain. The third part is the virginity test of children from the age of 13 years and above, and adults introspected spiritually by God.
Just like in the past, people would first offer their gifts before asking for anything from God. Needless to say, people cannot ask for anything from God without showing gratitude for things we need but cannot manufacture on our own. After issuing out offerings, we sing three hymns as instructed by God, namely hymn 1 [Thixo Sihlangene], hymn 7 [Ligcwalise Izwi Lakho], and hymn 5 [Wazesuli Zono]. This is done to receive good rains in the upcoming rainy season, good harvests and healthy, fruitful life.
This culture is a big part of Guta RaMwari. It is the duty of the current and upcoming generations to uphold these practices and maintain a firm connection with God (Mwali, Mdali, Mwari, Mudimo) who gives people life and asks for nothing but gratitude and purity.
Though most may have been sceptical about this year's rain (2024), but the bottom line is God answered our prayers. Most people expected the rainy season to begin in the month of October as per usual, but it only began days into the month of December. Perhaps it is true that it is the aftereffects of global warming, but as people, we should learn to be positive in everything God does. Rain is not something we can manufacture ourselves no matter the technology, hence the reason why we should always remember to pray for it and be patient.
Evangelist Joseph Bingo Malunga’s first letter, which he wrote while in Grey Prison, Bulawayo in 1976, shows the importance of praying for rain even individually:
“I ask for my business to prosper till I return home. My last request is that He may give us plenty of rain as it appears as if there will be no rain this season. I ask God to give us gentle rain as a number of people have died from lightning.” (12 Lessons and 52 Chapters, Chapter 48, Verse 12)
May God bless the African people with good life and wealth, Forever.