The social construction of Shangaani Cultural practices and beliefs on childhood and child rights. The Case of Chikombedzi area, Chiredzi District

Abstract

Cultural rights should take central place in the consideration of rights issues and the striving towards a more just world order. Allegedly, harmful cultural practices have collided with children‟s rights in Zimbabwe and beyond. The study came after the realisation that child rights were being violated through the practices of Khomba, Kutsvavela and Sibale. The study focused on interrogating the nature, reasons and community perceptions on culturally-inflicted child rights violations that are associated with the Khomba, Kutsvavela and Sibale practices among the Shangaani people in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe. This paper adopted a qualitative research design to capture the perceptions of 20 Shangaani adults using the snowballing technique while four (4) key informants were purposively sampled regarding this rite of passage. During data collection, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and field observations were utilised. The analysis of data was done through thematic content analysis in line with the research objectives. The study found that a number of Khomba, Kutsvavela and Sibale practices induced child rights violations including; interruption of schooling among adolescents and their exposure to sexually explicit content. It also noted that the rite continues to thrive mainly because of its association with tribal identity. The study recommends that the government and civil society organisations should conscientise the community on child rights in relation to their cultural practices. Also the paper suggests that holistic interventions should be done to address harmful cultural practices within social, legal and political contexts.