sjahssSJAHSSSJAHSS2788-9424https://doi.org/10.47310/sjahss.2022.v02i01.013The Conflict of Social Distancing and Shona Cultural Norms in The Face of Covid-19ShowChibangoCassimSilumbaZimbabweAn ontological turn has been observed in the social life during the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic has not only affected Zimbabwe; its foot prints have been felt world over. The disease has affected millions of people worldwide, with more deaths recorded, particularly in the western world. In the Zimbabwean culture, a great conflict is now the order of the day where the social order is desecrated due to the pandemic. The cultural fabric, where people socialise by gathering at funerals, nhimbes, or other social ceremonies are now forbidden. Hand shaking which is considered humane among the Shona people is no longer allowed. In as much as social distance is considered a viable alternative to reduce the spread of the pandemic, is social distancing not separating families further apart? This paper unraveled the conflict of interest between social customs and the Covid-19 pandemic. Is social distancing really the way out in combating the pandemic? Would the social life remain the same or there would be a completely turnover? Would the orthodox Indigenous Religious people swallow the new order or they would relegate it to the dust bin? These and other issues were dealt with in this discussion. For this paper, a qualitative paradigm was used. Tools of data collection included observations, interviews and document analysis. Quantitative paradigm was included when it came to the statistics of the pandemic. Thus, triangulation came in play in the presentation of the findings. At the end of the paper, a synthesis was made in relation to the matter at hand and proffers a way forward that gives harmony between customs and the pandemic.