Dashiki | In Africa and elsewhere in the world, virginity has historically been a virtue. But as society progressed, values started to change, writes Janice Phiri
This is a traditional coming-of-age ritual in Zulu culture. It is usually done when a woman turns 21. Traditionally, women at that age were still virgins.
Against this background, I therefore had mixed emotions about the story. As the shock of a 70-year-old virgin subsided, I asked myself: In Africa and elsewhere in the world, virginity has historically been a virtue. But as society progressed, values started to change. For instance, in most African societies, when a woman finds a husband, the man is expected to pay a dowry, known in South Africa as lobola.Alleyn Diesel | The Taliban and women: A case for extremist movement to become ‘students’ once more
In her study, Kambarami showed how women in Zimbabwe were groomed from birth to follow patriarchal systems and believe that, among other things, virginity is a virtue.I have great respect for customs and traditions that remind us who we are as Africans. However, I often feel conflicted when such customs diminish a certain section of our society.