The Shona expression above is a classic example of how religion has always played a central role in Africa's existence – even when people go to sleep, they talk to their Creator. Every occurrence, no matter how small, has a religious ritual or ceremony attached to it. This expression indicates the depth of African religiosity. Although people may not recite these words as a prayer, they are nevertheless an admission that they leave everything in the hands of their Creator. The statement ‘Renhasi rapfuura …’ captures the belief that the Creator (in Shona, Musiki or Musikavanhu) takes care of each of their living days. These words, even though uttered in an environment that, in the sense of Western Christianity some time ago may not have been considered as religious by most denominations, go a long way to underscoring the reality about Africans – that they are a religious people.

Since early colonial perceptions about Africa as backward and savage, the world has moved on and has embraced the continent. As a result of growing religious dialogue and respect for other people's religious beliefs and practices, hegemonic European cultural practices are on the wane. Most people in Europe and the Americas have come to appreciate that African cultures do not need to be taught to respect nature from Europe.

This chapter examines what Shona indigenous religion says about nature and why it qualifies as a ‘green religion’. I argue that it is a religion based on practice, as opposed to a green religion based on preaching.

The nature of African indigenous religions

African indigenous religions are deliberately given this nomenclature because they are religions that are largely indigenous to Africa and are founded on African soil, although some have been exported to the diaspora through the slave trade. These religions are handed down from one generation to another; they are also part and parcel of African life. They are an amalgamation of religions that pre-date Christianity and Islam. Therefore, they entail religious practices that are founded on millennia of accumulated wisdom and experiences, and act as guides for good moral behaviour and ethical environmental practices – all done for the common good.