A viral video of a Zimbabwean woman kneeling as she moves along a line of men to greet them has sparked debate online, with some interpreting the gesture as submission while others see it as a longstanding Shona cultural tradition.
The video was filmed during a gathering at the home of late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who died in a helicopter crash on September 30, 2026, alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, and four other people.
In the clip, the woman, dressed in a black long-sleeved dress with white trim and a black belt, kneels as she moves from one man to the next, greeting those seated in a large living room.
She greets elders in white traditional robes, men in suits and others in casual clothes, standing only after she has greeted everyone.
Among the Shona people of Zimbabwe, greetings are an important expression of respect, particularly towards elders and people in positions of authority.
Women may kneel, lower their bodies or curtsy when greeting respected people, while men may crouch or go down on one knee.
According to the BBC, Shona girls and women may kneel and clap before asking adults about their well-being, while boys and men may crouch. Failure to observe these customs can be interpreted as poor upbringing or disrespect.
The practice is associated with kuwombera, a Shona cultural etiquette involving respectful greetings, clapping and expressions of appreciation. Cultural platform Culture, Heritage & Roots notes that women kneel and clap when greeting people they respect.
The video has divided social media users, with some criticising the gesture as submissive, particularly when directed towards a long line of men, while others have defended it as an expression of cultural respect during a mourning gathering.
Cultural Atlas also notes that kneeling is a traditional way of expressing humility when interacting with older people or those in positions of authority.
The debate has renewed discussion about how traditional African customs are interpreted in contemporary society. For many Zimbabweans, such gestures reflect hunhu, a value associated with good character, humility and respect for others.
