Before the widespread use of candles in Zimbabwe, people primarily had electricity as a source of light. However, due to economic decline, frequent power blackouts, and fuel shortages in recent years, many Zimbabweans have experienced a regression from modern electrical lighting to using more basic, traditional sources of light, including candles and flashlights. This shift reflects the broader hardships in the country, including lack of electricity access in many areas and reliance on other means such as wood for heating and lighting in some places.
In summary, before candles became common due to recent outages, electricity was the main source of light in Zimbabwe.