ABSTRACT
This chapter delves into the ‘baron/baroness’ food-get-together celebrations and their role as catalysts for entrepreneurial socialization and innovation within the rural communities of Chikonye, Maheya, and Murairwa in Zimbabwe. The study employs a multifaceted approach, blending autoethnography and a literature review, to explore the transformative power of these communal gatherings and their contributions to social entrepreneurship. The primary objective is to shed light on the intricate interplay between tradition, community dynamics, and economic empowerment. Through autoethnographic reflections and an analysis of existing literature, the chapter seeks to define and contextualize social entrepreneurship within the cultural landscape of these rural settings. By investigating the baron/baroness celebrations as social events, the study uncovers the ways in which they foster entrepreneurial values, encourage innovation, and promote community-based economic initiatives such as the accompanying mukando lending schemes. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing and harnessing indigenous practices as powerful drivers of social change and economic development. The chapter contributes to the broader discourse on social entrepreneurship by offering a nuanced perspective grounded in the rich traditions and communal networks of rural Zimbabwe. It underscores the significance of understanding and leveraging local customs to nurture social innovation and foster sustainable economic growth in marginalized communities.
