Chiramu

Cultural Heritage or Harmful Tradition? Perspectives From Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom

Bibliographic Data

ID8130239
AuthorsO Mubaiwa (0000-0001-9852-669X, University of Portsmouth)
Year2026
Volume61
Issue5
Pages4240-4259
Publication date2026-01-13
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Asian and African Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9096 • E-ISSN: 1745-2538
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00219096251406883
OpenAlexW7123610670
LanguageEN
References cited11

This qualitative study explores Zimbabwean perceptions of Chiramu , a cultural practice involving flirtation between a man and his sister-in-law, among participants in Zimbabwe and the UK diaspora. The study compares the views of Chiramu between Zimbabweans living in the continent and those living in the diaspora. Chiramu is a cultural practice that involves flirtation between a man and his sister-in-law. While traditionally viewed as kinship-building, Chiramu is increasingly recognised as reinforcing gender-based violence (GBV), child abuse and patriarchal norms. Guided by postcolonial feminist theory and the ecological model of GBV, the study highlights tensions between cultural preservation and human rights. Findings reveal its link to intimate partner violence, polygamy and reproductive health risks, especially in rural Zimbabwe. The paper calls for a balanced cultural preservation that respects women and girls’ rights, and the exploration of alternative, non-harmful ways of sustaining familial bonds to mitigate Chiramu ’s harmful impact. co

Cultural heritage · Domestic violence · Ethnography · Human trafficking · Kingdom · Perception · Qualitative research · Suicide prevention · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · African studies and sociopolitical issues · Intimate Partner and Family Violence

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