Nyanzi S, Nassimbwa J, Kayizzi-Musoke V, Kabanda S; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. D11089.
P.O.Box 2191 Serrekunda, Banjul, Gambia
Background: Cultures evolve as the respond to changes in society. This study explored the diverse impacts of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the cultural practice of ritual sex among the Baganda in southwestern Uganda. Methods: Qualitative methods including focus group discussions, individual interviews and participant observation were used to collect data in Masaka district. We analysed policy statements/ documents, and conducted a survey of cultural ceremonies. Key informants were twins and twin parents, widows and widowers, traditional healers, policy makers, clan leaders, Buganda kingdom officials, barkcloth makers, diverse religious leaders, health officials and elders. Results: Continuities of the norm were evident. Ritual sex took many forms namely 'okuzina abalongo' - twin ceremonies, 'okumala olumbe' - death rituals, 'okumala kafiisa' - to end repetitive death in a home, last funeral rites, levirate marriage, widow inheritance, 'okumala ekizadde' - to celebrate a birth, 'okumala amabeere' - at weaning, 'okumala amabega' - at a daughter's first menstruation, when a child marries, or on entering a new house. Ritual sex is part of rites involving ancestral worship, gathering of kins and clanmates, eating, local-beer drinking and traditional music with sexual nuances. While some participants practise the prescribed sex, others had invented new symbolic forms of sex, which were widely adopted due to the fear of HIV infection. Symbolic ritual sex practices include the man jumping over the woman's outstretched legs, or her belt, the man urinating over the woman's urine, lying face to face. Gatherers encouraged by the prevailing permissiveness indulge in risky behaviour and sexu al activity during the ceremonies. Conclusions: Ritual sex, a vital part of Buganda culture could encourage the spread of HIV. It is evolving in response to fears of infection. Interventions include condom promotion at ceremonies, or health education by the established clan system.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Behavior
- Child
- Condoms
- Culture
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Male
- Marriage
- Uganda
- Widowhood
- Wills
- ethnology
- organization & administration
Other ID:
UI: 102277915
From Meeting Abstracts