The dynamic model proposed to take account of the operation of the spirit-mediums of Chiota Tribal Trust Land was felt necessary in order to make sense of a very complex reality. The general picture is of a vital religious organisation against the background of a dynamically changing social situation. To a considerable extent the flexibility and uncertainty of the ‘traditional’ religion of Chiota mirror similar characteristics in the mundane sphere of politics and economics. As was shown in chapter 1 Chiota's close proximity to Salisbury means that the people of Chiota are the first to be affected by the political and economic upheavals so much a characteristic of Southern Rhodesia in the last 15 years.

The Korekore of Mount Darwin District are much further removed from these upheavals, and Garbett has shown that their system of spirit-mediumship is much more tightly controlled than that of the Zezuru and that hierarchies of spirits and mediums really exist. In view of this marked difference between the religious organisation of two Shona-speaking peoples it is as well to embark on the task of comparative analysis of Shona institutions.

The Korekore

The Korekore are organised into small chiefdoms in the Zambesi Valley, successors of the once great Munhumutapa Kingdom (Korekore ‘royals’ claim patrilineal descent from Mutota, whom Abraham (1959 : 59–84) has identified with Munhumutapa.) Korekore chiefdoms, therefore, have an historical unity.

Korekore chiefdoms are loosely structured around these royal lineages. They are composed of small hamlets which are short lived and prone to fission.