Abstract
This article challenges the notion of the military as a bureaucratic institution through an examination of the institutionalization of beliefs in the power of diviner-healers, ancestral spirits, and witches in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). The findings are based upon twenty qualitative interviews with members of the elite Paragroup of the ZNA. Findings show that traditional beliefs play a role in intelligence gathering, leadership, individual protection, and explaining mysterious events in the operational arena. Off the battlefield, traditional beliefs influence promotions and combat service, and mediate conflicts between 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 nonrational beliefs are effectively institutionalized into the ZNA.
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