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"Our Branches Are Broken:" Using The Tree Of Life Healing Methodology With Victims Of Gukurahundi In Matebeleland, Zimbabwe, Dumisani Ngwenya

Peace and Conflict Studies

Between 1983 and 1987, an estimated 20,000 people from Matabeleland and parts of Midlands Province in Zimbabwe were killed by government forces in an operation code-named Gukurahundi. Since that time, no official apology, justice, reparations or any form of healing process has been offered by the government which was responsible for these atrocities. Many people still suffer trauma from the events of this time. The overall question that this research project sought to answer was whether a small group of survivors of Gukurahundi could heal via participation over time in a group action research project directed at their healing. …