Mapaluxelo ya vukati byo sindzisa eka matsalwa ma Xitsonga lama hlawuriweke

Abstract

The study investigates the issue of forced marriage which is a concern in public debates, media, policy matters and research projects in different parts of the world. Forced marriage is a marriage in which the parents choose the husband or wife for their child. It is one of the social issues that involves a range of factors such as culture, gender, power and agency (Chantler, 2020). It is an old practice that has remained unresolved even after the advent of democracy due to inequality and poverty and power imbalances. This research therefore aims to examine the practice of forced marriage in six selected Xitsonga texts namely: Sasavona by D.C. Marivate, Ndzi ngo tinciki! by F.A. Thuketana, Masungi M’fana ka Maxele by H.W.E. Ntsan’wisi; Hi ya kwihi? by M.J. Maluleke; Manyunyu ya Xitsotso by T.H. Khosa and Xisomisana by F.A. Thuketana to find out how it is portrayed and whether it was successful. Forced marriage is normally displayed by different cultures as cultural rights of parents upon their children. In most of Xitsonga literature, forced marriage is depicted by the way in which authors craft characters’ marriage endeavors. Generally speaking, the establishment of traditional families in Xitsonga literature indicates the initiative by parents, aunts or close relatives to scout out wives or husbands for their children by arranged or forced marriage. Literature preserves a rich body of values and cultural practices that are normally transcended from one generation to the next generation. The inclusion of force marriage practices by authors in their writings normally depicts the prevalence of the practice. The researcher employed a qualitative research approach in collecting and analyzing non-numerical data to understand the experiences or opinions and the concept of forced marriage. Purposive sampling was used to choose specific texts, to help achieve the goal of the study. The analysis revealed that forced marriage occurs to different people in different circumstances. The study was underpinned by the Human Rights Theory. This theory is of the view that forced marriage is understood as a violation of human rights due to elements of inequality and power imbalances which exist in relationships.The findings was useful for preventing forced marriage and awareness made of their rights