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The Significance of Female-Specific Taboos in Zulu Culture, South Africa
Bongephiwe Dlamini-Myeni, Gugulethu Mazibuko and Kemist Shumba
Published: 2024/09/01
Abstract
The Zulu culture, like any other culture, has its taboos that are grounded in the Zulu society’s indigenous Knowledge System (IKS). Taboos are conceptualized as avoidance rules that forbid the performance of certain actions by members of the human community; such actions include eating certain kinds of food, walking on or visiting sites considered sacred, being cruel to animals, and using natural resources in an unsustainable manner. This study adopted a qualitative approach to examine the purpose, significance and relevance of taboos that relate to females. These include taboos associated with menstruation, food, as well as hlonipha (respect). The authors assess the application and integration of these taboos within the context of modern education. Data were thematically analyzed. The study is informed by Asante’s (1980) Afrocentricity Theory. According to Asante (2003), Afrocentricity is a mode of thought and action in which the centrality of African interest, values, and perspectives predominates. The female-centered taboos are extracted from three cultural experts sampled purposively to ensure their authenticity. The use of the three cultural experts helped to ensure data triangulation. The main argument is that taboos regulate individuals’ behavior in a way that strengthens the family and society to ensure their sustainability. The observance of taboos in daily social interactions serves to maintain social order. Keywords: Taboo, Women, Indigenous knowledge systems, Education, Culture
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