Lobola (Bridewealth) in Contemporary Southern Africa Implications for Gender Equality

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 Benard Pindukai Humbe and Excellent Chireshe, Great Zimbabwe University.- Chapter 14: Commercialisation of Marriage Rites in Contemporary Times:  The Discourse of Lobola in the public Sphere in Zambia Nelly Mwale and Joseph Chita, University of Zambia.- Chapter 15: Intersection of lobola, intimate partner violence, and love among Karanga Christians in Chivi District, Zimbabwe Excellent Chireshe, Great Zimbabwe University.- Part 4: Philosophical and Theological Reflections on the Practice of Lobola.- Chapter 16: An inquiry into the value of human life: The lobola perspective Clive Tendai Zimunya and Chipo Hatendi, University of Zimbabwe.- Chapter 17: Contextual African theological interpretation of lobola in the era of globalization Moji A. Ruele, University of Botswana.- Chapter 18: Lobola and Gender Equality: A Theological Hermeneutic Approach Blazio M. Manobo, Catholic University of Zimbabwe.- Part 5: Ir/relevance of Lobola in Contemporary Southern Africa.- Chapter 19: No to bride price/bride wealth, Yes to roora Nisbert T. Taringa and Godfrey Museka, University of Zimbabwe.- Chapter 20: Bride price: a stumbling block to women’s advancement and development Loise Mudhosi, Independent scholar, Zimbabwe.- Chapter 21: Our debt to our parents?: Perspectives on Lobola Clive Tendai Zimunya, University of Zimbabwe.- Chapter 22: Creating alternatives to the practice of lobola in contemporary Southern Africa Mookgo Solomon Kgatle, University of South Africa.- Chapter 23: “Marujata”, “Jojina” and “Achihera”: Celebrating Women’s Agency in the Debate on Roora in Shona Culture Ezra Chitando, University of Zimbabwe.