Browsing by Author "Thabede, Hellen Nomusa"
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- ItemRituals as cultural coffins? Towards reintegrating divorced women into society : a pastoral theological study(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04) Thabede, Hellen Nomusa; Penxa-Matholeni, Nobuntu; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Zulu marriages are regarded as metaphoric funerals or even burials for many Zulu women. The symbolic kist that these women carry as a transitioning process from their father’s house to their husband’s family, signifies this death. The woman dies in the sense that the young maiden becomes her husband’s wife, symbolising an eternal binding. This event also signifies that she can never return to claim belonging to her father’s house even upon divorce or her husband’s death. This particular tradition and cultural practice is deeply embedded within the Zulu nation and has proven to be violent and extremely detrimental to the wellbeing of its women. The Zulu culture is androcentric in nature due to such traditional practices which only apply to women. The aim of this study is to highlight that cultural matters are a reality which affect all members of the Zulu society, whether secular or religious. Secondly, it seeks to advocate for the equality and fair treatment of divorced Zulu women through a pastoral care theological framework. In the first chapter, the researcher gives a general overview of the study regarding the issue of rituals in the institution of marriage within the Zulu context. In Chapter Two the researcher extensively explores different perspectives on the Jewish, Christian as well as Zulu cultures regarding the issue of marriage and divorce. The traditional Zulu belief systems are also investigated in terms of symbols such as the kist (the wooden marriage box), folktales and proverbs, to ascertain the points of departure of Christian and traditional isiZulu values. This is done to determine whether Christianity and our African cultures can accommodate and embrace each other for the sake of the gospel message. In this endeavour, the researcher discovers themes such as acculturation, inculturation, enculturation as well as social constructionism. This discovery indicates that the African way of living is not totally opposed to theological facts which affirm love and solidarity, and also facilitate justice and stability within communities. In Chapter Three the study employs post-colonial feminist perspectives to explore ways of dealing with issues of exploitation that result from patriarchal dominance within the Zulu culture. However, the researcher uncovers other kinds of social and gender injustices and systemic institutional oppression of women by male power structures, not only within the Zulu culture, but in life as a whole. Feminist theologians point to the constant portrayal of God as a “male” figure as the result of this social dilemma. They insist that this notion has a huge impact on escalating masculinity within our societies, since men believe that they should be honoured and revered the same way as God “the father”. In this regard, feminist theologians strongly suggest that these misinterpretations and misconceptions need to be corrected in order for the gospel message of love to be properly heard and for it to accommodate everyone. Chapter Four of this study seriously engages with the concept of resurrection theology as a strategy for bringing about restoration of divorced Zulu women. This indicates that culture may have declared them “dead” through ritualistic acts, but God promises a new beginning through the death and resurrection of Christ. This signifies that there is always hope for the suffering women in our society. Moreover, the researcher also explores the traditional Zulu methods of cleansing and purifying those who are believed to be ceremonially unclean, including those who have since passed on. The discovery poses a serious challenge for the Zulu nation in this regard. The study finds that there is absolutely no reason for the Zulu culture to reject or oust women and their children after a divorce because of they have cultural rituals that are designed to embrace everyone, including those who are departed. In addition, the classical concept of Ubuntu should be the fundamental value that is used to support and to empower divorced women.