Lobola (Bridewealth) in Contemporary Southern Africa

Introduction Lovemore Togarasei (University of Botswana) and Ezra Chitando (University of Zimbabwe).- Part 1: History of Lobola Chapter 1: Bridewealth in Southern Africa: Origin, Functions, Rights, and Gender-based Violence John Chitakure, The Mexican American Catholic College.- Chapter 2: Roora/Lobola: Its language, meaning and function: A keystone of Shona culture Francis Matambirofa, University of Zimbabwe.- Part 2: Lobola and/in Sacred Texts and Literature.- Chapter 3: The Bible and Lobola Lovemore Togarasei, University of Botswana.- Chapter 4: The Jewish and Shona Perspective of Lobola: A Critique Francis Machingura and Liveson Tatira, University of Zimbabwe.- Chapter 5: The biblical and cultural bases for lobola in light of marriage and divorce in the African context Eliot Tofa, University of Eswatini.- Chapter 6: Disempowerment of men by men? A comparative analysis of the impact of lobola and the Muslim mahr on masculinity.Edmore Dube, Great Zimbabwe University.- Chapter 7: Mari Yedanga Takadya Kare!: Lobola and Femininity of Entrapment in ChiShona Literature Beatrice Taringa, Belvedere Teachers' College, Zimbabwe.- Part 3: Lobola Practices in Some Southern African Communities Chapter 8: Bogadi Practice and the Place of Women in the Botswana Society Fidelis Nkomazana, University of Botswana.- Chapter 9: Lobola: A Paradoxical Token of Appreciation in Modern Day Ndebele Culture Sambulo Ndlovu, University of Cape Town.- Chapter 10: African Culture, Globalisation and Conformity: A Critical Review of the Vhaven a Lumalo Practice in Zimbabwe Silibaziso Mulea, Great Zimbabwe University.- Chapter 11: A Critical Assessment of Lobola Marriage Practices in Malawi: Mzimba South Case Study Mastone Mbewe, University of Malawi.- Chapter 12: Dynamics of Lobola practices among Vatsonga in Zimbabwe Madlome Steyn Khesani, Great Zimbabwe University.- Chapter 13: Metaphorical use of mapere (hyenas) in ku-roora (wife acquisition) related practices among the Shona peoplein Zimbabwe

Lovemore Togarasei is Professor of Theology and Religious Studies (Biblical Studies and African Christianity) at the University of Botswana.



Ezra Chitando is Professor of History and Phenomenology of Religion at the University of Zimbabwe and Regional Coordinator of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy.