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African culture must not be eroded

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Eva’s Song (A Collection of Short Stories)
By Barbara Makhalisa
Published by Harper Collins Publishers (1996)
ISBN: 1 77904 011 3

EVERY society has guiding principles and traditions that are religiously followed and these define the identity of a people.
But globalisation has resulted in societal beliefs and traditions being diluted.
It is said culture is dynamic.
With time, values that once guided African societies have been altered to ‘suit’ the times.
In some instances it has been for the good as it has helped promote growth and development.
These changes have, however, in some cases threatened the existence of the African culture.
“When tradition gathers enough strength to go on for centuries, you do not just turn it off one day,” renowned Nigerian author Chinua Achebe wrote.
In the book Eva’s Song (A Collection of Short Stories), Barbara Makhalisa ‘digs deep into the mind and heart of the ordinary Zimbabwean woman who is struggling to deal with a family problem, a domestic tragedy, discrimination, or simply a difficult decision’.
Through stories including ‘Together’, ‘Dezana’, ‘A New Start’, ‘Fly High’, ‘Paper Marriage’ and ‘Lumpy Bed’, issues of empowerment, gender equality and morality are explored.
The book was penned in 1996 and at that time, society was yet to grasp issues surrounding HIV and AIDS.
Then, society was yet to be fully educated on the ailment.
In the story ‘Together’, Makhalisa tackles the issue of how HIV and AIDS were perceived in society.
Stigmatisation was still rampant.
After having noticed that her high school daughter Macici had lost weight and was refusing to eat, Ma Mpofu concluded the worst.
She thought her daughter had contracted the virus.
“AIDS meant death,” thought Ma Mpofu.
“She has always seen it from a distance and sympathised, but had not worn those shoes.
“She had not known how hard the pinch feels.”
Just like most people back then, Ma Mpofu thought what was left was for her daughter to die.
It, however, turns out Macici had anorexia
“She thought of all the friends and neighbours who had to nurse their AIDS-infected relations,” writes Makhalisa.
“Some patients quickly passed from this world.
“The most dreaded period was when the patient became reliant on other people to be fed, bathed and dressed.”
Unlike then, when issues of HIV and AIDS were ‘kept a secret’, nowadays, thanks to awareness campaigns, society has learnt much about it.
In the story ‘Eva’s Song’, Makhalisa tackles the issue of economically empowering women.
Back in the day, the role of the man of the house was to provide for the family economically.
Society, however, has come to accept that women can be gainfully employed.
After her talk with Jessie on the changes in society, Bongiwe is left motivated on how she could help women in her community start projects.
“She would also need to visit Mbare Musika to find out about the prospects of getting a few women to rent a stall or two for a group of them,” Bongiwe thought.
“They would of course need to get themselves organised out there in the country.
“She smiled at the prospect that the venture could provide employment for a couple of people, hopefully, and earn others an income without undue suffering.”
With society having accepted the ‘new role’ of women in society, there are still issues arising mostly, especially in the family set-up.
In the story ‘Lumpy Bed’, the writer focuses on how the roles of professional women can be integrated with household chores.
Clashes have arisen among some married couples with husbands arguing that women, because of their new positions in society, have neglected their roles as wives and mothers.
“I have become the woman,” fumes Qonda, who feels disrespected by his wife who goes to work.
“She is now the man who paid lobola.”
Through the story, the writer explores how, despite the changes in tradition that have promoted women development, a lot had to be done to integrate the changes.
“I was summoned home for a court session. Seka Nana told that I no longer cook nor wash for the family,” complains Qonda’s wife.
As culture continues to evolve, it is hoped in the process the African culture is not completely eroded. After all, people are defined by culture.

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