ABSTRACT

Studies of amaXhosa (‘Xhosa’) men focus predominantly on Xhosa men attaining manhood through ritualised initiation (ulwaluko) and heterosexual homemaking through the building of a homestead (ukwakha umzi). Based on over a year of ethnographic research in Peddie, Eastern Cape, South Africa (2013–2014) with primarily young Xhosa men and women, I show the importance of looking pre-and-post the initiation and homestead centric focus prevalent in the literature. Using anthropological methods and techniques, I challenge initiation as the primary precursor to manhood for Xhosa men. I contest hegemonic theorisations and conceptualisations of Xhosa manhood that place primacy on the initiated phallus by showing the dynamic nature of Xhosa masculinities and the role of factors such as class, location and economic marginality. The young Xhosa men forming part of this study live in contexts of unemployment, structural exclusion and marginalisation. While initiation enjoys cultural hegemony, socially the picture is more complex. Rather than initiation status, employment and class assume importance in demarcating social status and relations among men. These tough conditions in Peddie are changing the political economy of sex in Peddie as well as contemporary meanings of traditions such as ulwaluko and heterosexual homemaking through ukwakha umzi. I argue for considerations of Xhosa masculinities that consider the role of economic marginality and socio-economic factors in influencing men’s desires and experiences concerning ubudoda (manhood).

摘要

对阿玛科萨（“科萨”）男性的研究主要集中在科萨男性通过仪式化的启蒙（ulwaluko）和异性恋家庭通过建造家园（ukwakha umzi）获得成年。基于在一年中Peddie表示，东开普省，南非（2013至14年）与主要科萨青年男女人种学研究的，我看展示的重要性，前-和-后文学中普遍存在的以启蒙和宅基地为中心的焦点。使用人类学的方法和技术，我挑战作为科萨人男子气概的主要先兆的启蒙。我通过展示科萨男子气概的动态本质以及诸如阶级、位置和经济边缘等因素的作用，对科萨男子气概的霸权理论和概念化提出质疑，这些理论和概念化将首当其冲的阴茎放在首位。参与这项研究的年轻科萨人生活在失业、结构性排斥和边缘化的环境中。虽然启蒙享有文化霸权，但在社会上情况更为复杂。就业和阶级在划分社会地位和男性之间的关系方面具有重要意义，而不是入职身份。Peddie 的这些艰难条件正在改变 Peddie 性的政治经济学以及传统的当代意义，例如 ulwaluko 和通过 ukwakha umzi 进行的异性家务。我主张考萨男性气质的考虑，即经济边缘和社会经济因素在影响男性关于 ubudoda（男子气概）的欲望和体验方面的作用。