Lobola (Bridewealth) in Contemporary Southern Africa: Implications for Gender Equality

ISBN-13: 9783030595258 / Angielski / Miękka / 2022 / 394 str.

Lovemore Togarasei; Ezra Chitando

Spis treści

Introduction

Lovemore Togarasei (University of Botswana) and Ezra Chitando (University of Zimbabwe)

Part 1: History of Lobola

Chapter 1: Bridewealth in Southern Africa: Origin, Functions, Rights, and Gender-based Violence

John Chitakure, The Mexican American Catholic College

Chapter 2: Roora/Lobola: Its language, meaning and function: A keystone of Shona culture

Francis Matambirofa, University of Zimbabwe

Part 2: Lobola and/in Sacred Texts and Literature

Chapter 3: The Bible and Lobola

Lovemore Togarasei, University of Botswana

Chapter 4: The Jewish and Shona Perspective of Lobola: A Critique

Francis Machingura and Liveson Tatira, University of Zimbabwe

Chapter 5: The biblical and cultural bases for lobola in light of marriage and divorce in the African context

Eliot Tofa, University of Eswatini

Chapter 6: Disempowerment of men by men? A comparative analysis of the impact of lobola and the Muslim mahr on masculinity.

Edmore Dube, Great Zimbabwe University

Chapter 7: Mari Yedanga Takadya Kare!: Lobola and Femininity of Entrapment in ChiShona Literature

Beatrice Taringa, Belvedere Teachers’ College, Zimbabwe

Part 3: Lobola Practices in Some Southern African Communities

Chapter 8: Bogadi Practice and the Place of Women in the Botswana Society

Fidelis Nkomazana, University of Botswana

Chapter 9: Lobola: A Paradoxical Token of Appreciation in Modern Day Ndebele Culture

Sambulo Ndlovu, University of Cape Town

Chapter 10: African Culture, Globalisation and Conformity: A Critical Review of the Vhavenḓa Lumalo Practice in Zimbabwe                                                             

Silibaziso Mulea, Great Zimbabwe University

Chapter 11: A Critical Assessment of Lobola Marriage Practices in Malawi: Mzimba South Case Study

Mastone Mbewe, University of Malawi

Chapter 12: Dynamics of Lobola practices among Vatsonga in Zimbabwe

Madlome Steyn Khesani, Great Zimbabwe University

Chapter 13: Metaphorical use of mapere (hyenas) in ku-roora (wife acquisition) related practices among the Shona people in Zimbabwe

Benard Pindukai Humbe and Excellent Chireshe, Great Zimbabwe University

Chapter 14: Commercialisation of Marriage Rites in Contemporary Times:  The Discourse of Lobola in the public Sphere in Zambia

Nelly Mwale and Joseph Chita, University of Zambia

Chapter 15: Intersection of lobola, intimate partner violence, and love among Karanga Christians in Chivi District, Zimbabwe

Excellent Chireshe, Great Zimbabwe University

Part 4: Philosophical and Theological Reflections on the Practice of Lobola

Chapter 16: An inquiry into the value of human life: The lobola perspective

Clive Tendai Zimunya and Chipo Hatendi, University of Zimbabwe

Chapter 17: Contextual African theological interpretation of lobola in the era of globalization

Moji A. Ruele, University of Botswana

Chapter 18: Lobola and Gender Equality: A Theological Hermeneutic Approach

Blazio M. Manobo, Catholic University of Zimbabwe

Part 5: Ir/relevance of Lobola in Contemporary Southern Africa

Chapter 19: No to bride price/bride wealth, Yes to roora

Nisbert T. Taringa and Godfrey Museka, University of Zimbabwe

Chapter 20: Bride price: a stumbling block to women’s advancement and development

Loise Mudhosi, Independent scholar, Zimbabwe

Chapter 21: Our debt to our parents?: Perspectives on Lobola

Clive Tendai Zimunya, University of Zimbabwe

Chapter 22: Creating alternatives to the practice of lobola in contemporary Southern Africa

Mookgo Solomon Kgatle, University of South Africa

Chapter 23: “Marujata”, “Jojina” and “Achihera”: Celebrating Women’s Agency in the Debate on Roora in Shona Culture

Ezra Chitando, University of Zimbabwe

O autorze

Lovemore Togarasei is Professor of Theology and Religious Studies (Biblical Studies and African Christianity) at the University of Botswana.

 

Ezra Chitando is Professor of History and Phenomenology of Religion at the University of Zimbabwe and Regional Coordinator of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy.

Blurb

This volume explores the multiple meanings and implications of lobola in Southern Africa. The payment of lobola (often controversially translated as ‘bridewealth’) is an entrenched practice in most societies in Southern Africa. Although having a long tradition, of late there have been voices questioning its relevance in contemporary times while others vehemently defend the practice. This book brings together a range of scholars from different academic disciplines, national contexts, institutions, genders, and ethnic backgrounds to debate the relevance of lobola in contemporary southern African communities for gender equality.