Postcolonial Imbusa: Bemba Women’s Agency and Indigenous Cultural Systems

Imbusa, a Bemba people of Zambia's marriage ritual, is a powerful cultural force that shapes behaviors and relationships. Postcolonial Imbusa: Bemba Womens Agency, and Indigenous Cultural Systems by Mutale Mulenga-Kaunda explores how imbusa promotes women's agency and subjectivity, making it a valuable resource for constructing postcolonial womanism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Imbusa, a profound and enduring rite of passage for marriage among the Bemba people of Zambia, stands as a remarkable and resilient ritual that profoundly shapes and informs both the private and public realms of their lives. It emerges as one of the most powerful cultural forces, exerting a profound influence on behaviors and shaping the intricate dynamics of relationships between women and men within the domestic, religious, and workplace contexts. In her book titled "Postcolonial Imbusa: Bemba Women's Agency, and Indigenous Cultural Systems," Mutale Mulenga-Kaunda delves into the lived experiences of imbusa and explores how it proposes notions of women's agency and subjectivity. Mulenga-Kaunda argues that the salience and resilience of imbusa, despite its exposure to diverse cultures and religions, make it an invaluable feminist decolonial resource for constructing life-giving postcolonial womanism. Through a combination of in-depth interviews and philosophical analysis, this book uncovers the processes through which knowledge about imbusa was generated and examines how such knowledge contributes to the development of postcolonial and decolonial nego-feminism.

The Bemba people of Zambia have a rich cultural tradition known as Imbusa, which serves as a significant rite of passage for marriage. This ritual holds immense importance and resilience, shaping and informing the private and public aspects of their lives. Imbusa is considered one of the most formidable cultural forces, influencing behaviors and establishing the dynamics of relationships between women and men within various contexts, including the home, church, and workplace.

In her book titled "Postcolonial Imbusa: Bemba Women's Agency, and Indigenous Cultural Systems," Mutale Mulenga-Kaunda offers a captivating glimpse into the lived experiences of imbusa. Through a combination of in-depth interviews and philosophical analysis, Mulenga-Kaunda explores how imbusa proposes notions of women's agency and subjectivity. She argues that the salience and resilience of imbusa, despite its exposure to diverse cultures and religions, make it an invaluable feminist decolonial resource for constructing life-giving postcolonial womanism.

Mulenga-Kaunda's book delves into the processes through which knowledge about imbusa was generated. It uncovers the historical, social, and cultural factors that have shaped this ritual over time. The book also examines how such knowledge constitutes postcolonial and decolonial nego-feminism. By exploring the lived experiences of imbusa and its implications for women's agency and subjectivity, Mulenga-Kaunda sheds light on the complex interplay between culture, gender, and power.

Imbusa is not just a cultural practice; it is a powerful tool for social transformation. Through its promotion of women's agency and subjectivity, imbusa contributes to the dismantling of patriarchal structures and the empowerment of women. It challenges traditional gender roles and promotes a more equitable and inclusive society.

In conclusion, Imbusa, as a rite of passage for marriage among the Bemba people of Zambia, is a remarkable and resilient ritual that profoundly shapes and informs the private and public realms of their lives. Mulenga-Kaunda's book "Postcolonial Imbusa: Bemba Women's Agency, and Indigenous Cultural Systems" offers a valuable insight into the lived experiences of imbusa and its implications for women's agency and subjectivity. Through a combination of interviews and philosophical analysis, the book uncovers the processes through which knowledge about imbusa was generated and examines how such knowledge contributes to the development of postcolonial and decolonial nego-feminism. Imbusa serves as a powerful tool for social transformation, promoting women's agency and subjectivity and challenging patriarchal structures. It is a testament to the resilience and creativity of indigenous cultural systems in responding to the challenges of modernity.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 234 x 160 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666926248