The Role of Women’s Pre-marriage Rites of Passage and Cultural Practices in Promoting Peace in Kabwe District, Central Province, Zambia

This study is an assessment of women’s pre-marriage rites of passage and cultural practices and their role in promoting peace in Kabwe, Zambia. These rites help in the process of promoting peace because the lessons learnt prepare a woman to become a peacemaker in marriage. For instance, women are taught that when there is a conflict involving the exchange of words, they should put a stone in their mouth until the situation calms down. This is cardinal in peacemaking as it helps in avoiding the escalation of conflicts. Moreover, women are taught how to prepare variety of traditional dishes which are served to the groom and his family. This is done because it is believed that the way to a man’s heart is through the stomach. Therefore, the provision of food to a man helps to bring peace in a home. Additionally, pre-marriage lessons on sex are important because they prepare a woman on how to handle a man in bed. This is cardinal because without this knowledge there may be conflicts in the home due to sexual dissatisfaction. Therefore, women’s pre-marriage rites of passage and cultural practices should be encouraged because they promote peace in the society.