GENDER ISSUE

MEN: When born, boys are given several names from different people-one from their father when they turn seven, another from their friends and a final one when they enter one of the regiments. When they grow up into men, they are in charge of the entire house hold. They deal with house visitors, attend tribe meetings, and make all the decisions. A husband has several of responsibilities from carving wooden utensils for their wives to protecting their family.

WOMEN: Women in Africa are considered lower in class to men because women are viewed as inferior in status and value. Something interesting is that the clothes they wear can tell their marital status. Single women are only allowed to wear grass or beaded cotton stings skirts. With no top, their hair is kept short. However, women who are engaged have their hair grown out and their chests are covered by a unique top.

Like most women in Africa, the Zulu women most perform a ritual of purification. Named the “21 day purification”, the women must endure a series of task otherwise they are looked at to be unclean. When a women’s menstrual begins the purification begins with eating a mix of Rubia Cordifolia shrub roots for 7 days. During the 21 days, the women must stay in their mother’s house; if their mother happens to be deceased then another family women member can fill it. The women cannot be seen by anyone, however, the can have one friend in the hut with them that is there for support. After the 21 days have passed, the women emerge from the hut looking clean and pure.

WORK CITED:
http://www.feministpress.org/books/rebecca-hourwich-reyher/zulu-woman