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Religion and Sexuality in Zimbabwe highlights the complex interplay
between religion and sexuality in Zimbabwe. It shows how religion
both facilitates and complicates the expression of sexuality in
Zimbabwe. Approaching religion from a broader perspective, this
volume reviews the impact of African Indigenous Religions and
Christianity in its varied forms on the construction and expression
of sexuality in Zimbabwe. These contributors examine the role of
indigenous beliefs, as well as interpretations of sacred texts, in
the understanding of sexuality in Zimbabwe. They also address
themes relating to sexual diversity and sexual and gender-based
violence. Overall, this book sheds light on the ongoing relevance
and strategic role of religion to contemporary discourses on human
sexuality.
This work investigates the role of n'angas(Traditional Healers) in
the HIV/AIDS pandemic with reference to the Ndau people of
Zimbabwe. The central question of the work is: Do n'angas cure
HIV/AIDS? If not, what is it that they do that they think is
curing? The research findings were that much of the claims by some
n'angas and their clients are a result of information gap about
HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS is not tested by the magico-pharmacology of the
traditional Shona society. The success of n'angas in dealing with
HIV/AIDS lies in the anti-retroviral role that traditional herbal
medicine plays. At best, they can cure symptoms of HIV/AIDS with
their traditional medicines. As a result, they can be said to be
offering alternative traditional anti-retroviral treatment even
without the medical expertise of establishing the CD4 counts.
Payment is not made for curing the AIDS virus, but for treating the
opportunistic infections associated with AIDS. As a matter of fact,
patients do not seek AIDS cure, but medical assistance for
physically observable complications. Interestingly, genuine n'angas
sometimes do not even require payment, but consider themselves as
providing a community service.
The chapters in this volume foreground the ambivalent role of
religion and culture when it comes to African women's health and
well-being. Reflecting on the three major religions in Africa, i.e.
African indigenous religions, Christianity, and Islam, the authors
illustrate how religious beliefs and practices can either enhance
or hinder women's holistic progress and development. With a
specific focus on Zimbabwean women's experiences of religion and
culture, the volume discusses how African indigenous religions,
Christianity, and Islam tend to privilege men and understate the
value of women in Africa. Adopting diverse theological,
ideological, and political positions, contributors to this volume
restate the fact that the key teachings of different religions,
often suppressed due to patriarchal influences, are a potent
resource in the quest for gender justice. In sync with the goals
for gender justice and women empowerment envisioned in the United
Nations' Agenda 2030 and Africa Agenda 2063, the contributors
advocate for gender-inclusive and life-enhancing interpretations of
religious and cultural traditions in Africa.
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