Comments on: Change thinking towards negative traditional practices- Mambwe

By: Umuntu

Umuntu — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:16:58 +0000

I agree with all the bloggers that have raised noticed a common mistake among Africans in the dispora who always uses the phrase ‘African culture ‘ or ‘Zambian Culture’ like Africa or Zambia has a homogeneous traditions.They decide to ignore the diversity.Though I have not studied or exposed to all 73 tribes in Zambia, I have had the privilege of attending traditional marriage initiation( marriage counseling) of 7 tribes and none of ba shibukombe taught the men in these meetings that you should abuse or beat your wife.The teachings are very enlightening and i gained very practical marriage conflict resolution approaches. My wish is that such information should be out there to educate those that just enter the marriage contract with nothing to work with but strength!

By: Kamba Timvere

Kamba Timvere — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:00:16 +0000

As for violence on women, look no further than the modern day Lobola practice. Nowadays Lobola has been commercialised and as such women are now being seen as commodities that you have to buy at a very high price. So after a man ‘buys’ a woman he thinks he owns her and can do anything with her. Originally Lobola in many Zambian cultures was a token fee of appreciation and the marriages usually stood the test of time! Nowadays greedy parents think they have to sell their daughters to the highest bidder..and thats where the problem lies. Lets get back to our roots!

By: Kamba Timvere

Kamba Timvere — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:50:52 +0000

Mwanawakwithu and Smooth criminal; Firstly realise that there is not one Zambian culture, so you cant compare developments in Eastern Province Nyau to North Western traditions. Secondly, when we become Europeanised and start seeing tits as sex objects we should not assume everyone sees them as such. If anything, the same Europeans who exported the “cover-up culture” to us in the name of civilisation are right now taking off their clothes through nudist camps and are promoting this as psychologically liberating. They say nudity is a higher form of civilisation. So be careful what you copy from Europe and how you copy it.

By: Nalisa

Nalisa — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:51:33 +0000

Initiates during to traditional music after their initiation ceremony

By: Zabige

Zabige — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:00:18 +0000

#6..point! there is always two sides to every coin..we need to understand what brought us to where we are..before we can try to change it…

By: Zambian

Zambian — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:54:50 +0000

Do not blame it on someone else. People wake up!!! Do the young girls and women who walk half naked during day time some of them in offices do that in the name of any African Culture??

By: Bbwezani POVERTY

Bbwezani POVERTY — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:54:57 +0000

PS you dont just say ‘there is need’, PUT LAWS and let the LAWS rule. Too much talking and no action!

By: Kwathukummawa

Kwathukummawa — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:52:13 +0000

Culture vs modernity. Mostly culture is misunderstood, misinterpreted and considered old fashioned, yet it shaped today’s most respectful, tolerant, intelligent, educated leaders we are very proud of in our country today whose marriages have stood the test of time.

Todays marriages mostly last until after the reception. Then its divorce

By: Smoothcriminal

Smoothcriminal — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:27:47 +0000

Well said Mwanawakwitu, not untill we know the exact purpose of the ceremonies,then only can we appreciate them,otherwise i personally take it like some self appointed dictator gathered up some naked women and had them parade and dance before him,then someone complained a bit and dressed them up to the waist, all the Nyau dancers dress up up to the neck,infact they even cover their faces, makishi dancers dress up,but when its women they make them dance naked,its all entertainement,why dont they let their wives do it in the comfort of their bedrooms,times are changing,i think we should change some of these degrading and inhuman practises,but again if a whole president can go get entertained by naked women in swaziland,who are we to stop it

By: Grade seven

Grade seven — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:30:13 +0000

The moment abuse of any form is seen as ‘cultural problems’, then it will be hard to tackle the whole issue. Whether it’s in villages or mu town, abuse is abuse.Let the donor funded policies against abuse be uniformly implemented across the country.