Menstrual Rite of Passage: Implications for HIV Prevention
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6697/14475Keywords:
menstrual rite of passage, menstruation, HIV prevention, sex debut, sex deferral, abstinenceAbstract
Indigenous knowledge ingrained in rites of passage associated with birth, puberty, marriage, and death is often blamed for exacerbating HIV and AIDS prevalence rates in African societies. Against this backdrop, this study utilises the hermeneutic phenomenology of religion to explore the potential role of the Shona-Manyika menstrual rite of passage in complementing or impeding modern biomedical HIV prevention strategies. Given that there is limited research on the menstrual rite of passage among the Shona dialects, the Manyika included, data were qualitatively gathered through purposively selected individual interviews with key participants and focus group discussions in the Shona-Manyika Gandanzara community. The study finds that the menstrual rite of passage or some of its aspects have manifest and latent functions that can promote or impede the use of modern biomedical HIV prevention strategies such as condom use, abstinence, faithfulness, and delayed coital debut. Thus, the role of the menstrual rite of passage as a cultural approach in mitigating HIV transmission is ambivalent. This implies that the cultural approach to HIV prevention can be an important mitigatory strategy if interventionists can capitalise on aspects of rituals that are useful.
References
Airhihenbuwa, C. O., and J. D. Webster. 2012. “Culture and African Contexts of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support.” Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS 1 (1): 4–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/17290376.2004.9724822.
Aschwanden, H. 1989. Karanga Mythology: An Analysis of the Consciousness of the Karanga in Zimbabwe. Gweru: Mambo Press.
Barbosa, S. M., P. N. Pinheiro da Costa, and N. F. C. Vieira. 2008. “Parents Behaviour Regarding Communication with their Adolescent Concerning HIV/AIDS.” Rev Rene 9 (1). http://www.periodicos.ufc.br/rene/article/view/5007?articlesBySameAuthorPage=3.
Block, M. 1974. “Symbols, Song, Dance and Features of Articulation: Is Religion an Extreme Form of Traditional Authority?” European Journal of Sociology 15 (1): 54–81. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003975600002824.
Bourdillon, M. F. C. 1990. Religion and Society: A Text for Africa. Gweru: Mambo Press.
Bowie, F. 2006. The Anthropology of Religion: An Introduction. Malden: Blackwell Publishing.
Braun, V., and V. Clarke. 2013. Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Bukali de Graca, F. L. 2002. HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care in Mozambique: A Socio-Cultural Approach. Maputo: SANA. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000130854.
Campbell, C., K. Scott, M. Nhamo, C. Nyamukapa, C. Madanhire, M. Skovdal, L. Sherr, and S. Gregson. 2013. “Social Capital and HIV Competent Communities: The Role of Community Groups in Managing HIV/AIDS in Rural Zimbabwe.” AIDS Care: Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of HIV/AIDS 25 (1): 114–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2012.748170.
Chidester, D. 1987. Patterns of Action: Religion and Ethics in a Comparative Perspective. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Chirawu, S. 2006. “Till Death Do Us Part: Marriage, HIV/AIDS and the Law in Zimbabwe.” bepress Legal Series, Working Paper 1419. Accessed December 17, 2014. https://law.bepress.com/expresso/eps/1419/.
Chitando, E. 2014. “Re-Opening the Canon: The Transformation of Shona Indigenous Religion in the Face of HIV/AIDS in Rural Zimbabwe.” In Alternative Voices: A Plurality Approach for Religious Studies; Essays in Honour of Ulrich Berber, edited by A. Adogame, M. Echtler and O. Freiberger, 195–210. Bristol: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. https://doi.org/10.13109/9783666540172.195.
Cox, J. L. 2006. A Guide to the Phenomenology of Religion: Key Figures, Formative Influences and Subsequent Debates. London: T & T Clark International.
Cox, J. L. 2010. An Introduction to the Phenomenology of Religion. New York: Continuum.
Csordas, T. J. 1983. “The Rhetoric of Transformation in Ritual Healing.” Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry 7 (4): 333–375. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00052238.
De Vincenzi, I. 1994. “A Longitudinal Study of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission by Heterosexual Partners.” The New England Journal of Medicine 331 (6): 342–346. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199408113310601.
Dickinson, D. 2014. A Different Kind of AIDS: Folk and Lay Theories in South African Townships. Johannesburg: Fanele.
Douglas, M. 1988. Purity and Danger: An Analysis of the Concepts of Pollution and Taboo. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
Duffy, L. 2005. “Culture and Context of HIV Prevention in Rural Zimbabwe: The Influence of Gender Inequality.” Journal of Transcultural Nursing 16 (23): 23–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659604270962.
Green, G. 2005. “Hermeneutics.” In The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion, edited by J. R. Hinnells, 392–406. London: Routledge.
Helman, C. G. 2007. Culture, Health and Illness. New York: Hodder Arnold. https://doi.org/10.1201/b13281.
House, S., T. Mahon, and S. Cavill. 2012. Menstrual Hygiene: The Basics. WaterAid. Accessed March 29, 2017. https://washmatters.wateraid.org/sites/g/files/jkxoof256/files/Menstrual%20hygiene%20matters%20low%20resolution.pdf.
K4Health. 2014. Comprehensive Review of Behavioural Change for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of HIV in Zimbabwe. Accessed March 29, 2017. https://www.k4health.org/sites/default/files/National-BC-review.pdf.
Kambarami, M. 2006. “Femininity, Sexuality and Culture: Patriarchy and Female Subordination in Zimbabwe.” Paper presented at the African Regional Sexuality Resource Centre’s Understanding Human Sexuality Seminar Series, University of Fort Hare. http://www.arsrc.org/downloads/uhsss/kmabarami.pdf.
Kippax, S. 2012. “Effective HIV Prevention: The Indispensable Role of Social Science.” Journal of the International AIDS Society 15 (2): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.7448/IAS.15.2.17357.
Leclerc-Madlala, S., L. C. Simbayi, and A. Cloete. 2009. “The Sociocultural Aspects of HIV/AIDS in South Africa.” In HIV/AIDS in South Africa 25 Years On, edited by P. Rohleder, L. Swartz, S. C. Kalichman and L. C. Simbayi, 13–25. New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0306-8_2.
Leynaert, B., A. M. Downs, and I. de Vincenzi. 1998. “Heterosexual Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Variability of Infectivity throughout the Course of Infection.” American Journal of Epidemiology 148 (1): 88–96. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a009564.
Liddell, C., L. Barrett, and M. Bydawell. 2006. “Indigenous Beliefs and Attitudes to AIDS Precautions in a Rural South African Community: An Empirical Study.” Annals of Behavioral Medicine 32 (3): 218–225. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm3203_7.
Magesa, L. 1997. African Religion: The Moral Traditions of Abundant Life. Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa.
Mapuranga, T. P. 2010. “A Phenomenological Investigation into the Effects of Traditional Beliefs and Practices on Women and HIV and AIDS, with Special Reference to Chipinge District, Zimbabwe.” PhD diss., University of Zimbabwe. https://publication.codesria.org/index.php/pub/catalog/book/886.
Mbiti, J. S. 1969. African Religions and Philosophy. Oxford: Heinemann.
Mbonu, N. C., B. Van den Borne, and N. K. De Vries. 2009. “Stigma of People with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review.” Journal of Tropical Medicine 145891. https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/145891.
Morris, M., and M. Kretzschmar. 1997. “Concurrent Partnerships and the Spread of HIV.” AIDS 11 (5): 641–648. https://doi.org/10.1097/00002030-199705000-00012.
Nabofa, M. Y. 1985. “Blood Symbolism in African Religion.” Religious Studies 21 (3): 389–405. https://doi.org/10.1017/50034412500017479.
Museka, G. 2018. “African Traditional Religio-Cultural Rituals in the Era of HIV and AIDS: Assets or Liabilities?” PhD diss., University of Zimbabwe.
Ndofirepi, A. P., and E. S. Ndofirepi. 2012. “(E)ducation or (e)ducation in Traditional African Societies? A Philosophical Insight.” Studies of Tribes and Tribals 10 (1): 13–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/0972639X.2012.11886639.
O’Brien, S., and A. Broom. 2014. “HIV in (and out of) the Clinic: Biomedicine, Traditional Medicine and Spiritual Healing in Harare.” SAHARA: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS 11 (1): 94–1004. https://doi.org/10.1080/17290376.2014.938102.
PEPFAR (U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). 2012. A Firm Foundation: The PEPFAR Consultation on the Role of Faith-Based Organisations in Sustaining Community and Country Leadership in the Response to HIV/AIDS. Washington: U.S. Department of State. https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/The-PEPFAR-Consultation-on-the-Role-of-Faith-based-Organizations-in-Sustaining-Community-and-Country-Leadership-in-the-Response-to-HIVAIDS2012.pdf.
Percival, L. J., and V. L. Patel. 1993. “Sexual Beliefs and Practices by Women in Urban Zimbabwe: Implications for Health Education.” McGill Journal of Education 28 (2): 253–268. https://mje.mcgill.ca/article/view/8101/6029.
Pettifor, A. E., A. Van der Straten, M. S. Dunbar, S. C. Shiboski, and N. S. Padian. 2004. “Early Age of First Sex: A Risk Factor for HIV Infection among Women in Zimbabwe.” AIDS 18 (10): 1435–1442. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.aids.0000131338.61042.b8.
Pettifor, A. E., K. O’Brien, C. MacPhail, W. C. Miller, and H. Rees. 2009. “Early Coital Debut and Associated HIV Risk Factors among Young Women and Men in South Africa.” International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 35 (2): 82–90. https://doi.org/10.1363/3508209.
Shoko, T. 2007. Karanga Indigenous Religion in Zimbabwe: Health and Well-being. Burlington: Ashgate.
Shoko, T. 2013. “Healing in African Traditional Religion: Examining the Implications for HIV within the Context of Zimbabwe.” In In the Name of Jesus! Healing in the Age of HIV, edited by E. Chitando and C. Klagba, 23–38. Geneva: The World Council of Churches Publications.
Sovran, S. 2013. “Understanding Culture and HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa.” SAHARA: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS 10 (1): 32–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/17290376.2013.807071.
Tagwirei, C. 2014. “‘Lame Ducks’ in the Time of HIV/AIDS? Exploring Female Victimhood in Selected HIV/AIDS Narratives by Zimbabwean Female Writers.” Critical Arts: South-North Cultural and Media Studies 28 (2): 216–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/02560046.2014.906341.
Thabethe, S. N. 2012. “A Case of Culture Gone Aury: An Investigations of Female Initiation Ceremonies and Nyau Dance Vigils on the Rights of Teenage Girls to Education and Sexual Reproductive Health amongst Migrant Communities in Norton, Zimbabwe.” LLM diss., University of Zimbabwe.
Tharakan, J. P. 2015. “Indigenous Knowledge Systems: A Rich Appropriate Technology Resource.” African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development 7 (1): 52–57. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2014.987987.
Turner, V. W. 1964. “Between and Betwixt: The Liminal Period in the Rites de Passage.” Accessed January 3, 2014. www.fiu.edu/~ereserve/010010095-1.pdf.
Turner, V. W. 1969. The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
UNESCO/UNAIDS (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization/ Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS). 2001. A Cultural Approach to HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care. Methodological Handbooks, Special Series, Issue No. 1. Division of Cultural Policies. Paris: UNESCO.
UNESCO/UNAIDS (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization/ Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS). 2002. A Cultural Approach to HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care: Summary of Country Assessments. Division of Cultural Policies. Paris: UNESCO.
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund). 2004. Culture Matters: Working with Communities and Faith-Based Organisations: Case Studies from Country Programmes. New York: UNFPA. https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdf/CultureMatters_2004.pdf.
Van Gennep, A. 1960. The Rites of Passage. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226027180.001.0001.
ZIMSTAT (Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency) and ICF International. 2016. Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey 2015: Key Indicators. Rockville: ZIMSTAT and ICF International. https://www.zimstat.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/publications/Social/Health/ZDHS2015KEY.pdf.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright will be vested in Unisa Press. However, as long as you do not use the article in ways which would directly conflict with the publisher's business interests, you retain the right to use your own article (provided you acknowledge the published version of the article) as follows:
- to make further copies of all or part of the published article for your use in classroom teaching;
- to make copies of the final accepted version of the article for internal distribution within your institution, or to place it on your own or your institution's website or repository, or on a site that does not charge for access to the article, but you must arrange not to make the final accepted version of the article available to the public until 18 months after the date of acceptance;
- to reuse all or part of this material in a compilation of your own works or in a textbook of which you are the author, or as the basis for a conference presentation.
Accepted 2024-06-04
Published 2024-09-04
