Bazezuru, Polygamy And HIV/AIDS

| Monday March 8, 2010 00:00

FRANCISTOWN: The practice of  polygamy by members of the Johane Apostle Church of God, a religious sect whose members are commonly known as Bazezuru, is often lambasted and demonised in this country.

It has been suggested that their practice of polygamy is bad because it increases the risk of HIV/AIDS infections or is a form of abuse of women.

Certainly no one has ever thought that polygamy could be a tool against the scourge of HIV/AIDS. But Bazezuru believe so, especially - they say- when polygamy is practiced in accordance with the laws of their church. They see polygamy as a practical answer to adultery.

They pointed out that HIV/AIDS spreads mainly because of promiscuity and not because a man has more than one wife. 'Yes, it is true that HIV/AIDS is running riot in Africa,' says 37-year-old Nomsa Tatenda, a member of the Zezuru church. I would say it's much safer to have two or more wives legally than to have several illegitimate partners.'

She says in her church, men who practice polygamy would never cheat on their wives. 'For,' she says, 'AIDS can only come to a man who has many wives when he engages in extramarital sex.'

As the country continues to grapple with the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the Bazezuru claim they were long warned about the disease and that they have been able to keep the disease at bay through prayer.

'I don't have a problem with sharing a husband,' says 42-year-old Margaret Michael, the single wife of a Zezuru man. 'I would have no problem if my husband brought another wife along. She would be extra help with the household chores. As long as the man is mature and has the means to feed his family, polygamy is not a problem.'

Edinah Tekere (37), who is the last to be added to a polygamous family, also says she is comfortable. 'I do not feel cheated at all,' she says. 'I have my time with him and I am in harmony with his other wives.'

Other supporters of the practice say in the AIDS era, polygamy is a far healthier arrangement than the one wife and a 'small houses', or even prostitutes. They point out that for polygamy to work well, all the women must accept the tradition. It is even better the older wife takes part in the choice of her husband's younger bride.

However, critics say the more sexual partners there are, even in marriage, the greater the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, particularly because some polygamous men still have extra-marital affairs.

Commenting on Bazezuru and HIV/AIDS, National Support Group Coordinator for the Botswana Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS (BONEPWA), Zolani Kraai, says the Bazezuru religion ingrains the teaching of no sex before marriage.

'They don't sex at an early age,' Kraai says. 'They eat healthy food and lead a healthy lifestyle.' He adds that the wives of a polygamous husband in the Zezuru setting are often HIV negative and share this status among themselves.

Similarly, the religion forbids men and women to meet in seclusion unless they are married. Like many other indigenous churches across the continent, the Johane Apostle Church embraces Christian principles as well as African cultural traditions. Members are not asked to forsake their beliefs and are embraced by a church that preaches abstinence from alcohol and casual sex while promoting discipline of the mind and body.

Christianity is expressed not in opposition to African culture, but within its broader context.

Dreams and visions play an important role. Above all, African culture is integrated with the gospel, and members do not have an inferiority complex in relation to western-oriented churches.

The church's origins are believed to be in Zimbabwe where at least five sects exist. It is said that after the death of its founding leader, the followers squabbled over leadership and scattered to form sects across southern Africa.