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Pages:
9 pages/≈2475 words
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Style:
Chicago
Subject:
Social Sciences
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
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Topic:

Africa and LGBT: Is Africa the new site for the clash of ‘civilizations’?

Essay Instructions:

Show your critical reflection on the topic. Cite the sources appropriately using the Chicago Manual of Style. Use of additional readings, in addition to the textbook and lectures, is also encouraged. The paper should not strictly be argumentative, but it is important to present opposing views on an issue, if any, and you are encouraged to make your opinions when needed. Originality, organization, coherence, and strength of the
argument will form the basis for essay evaluation.

Essay Sample Content Preview:

AFRICA AND LGBT: IS AFRICA THE NEW SITE FOR THE CLASH OF 'CIVILIZATIONS'?
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Introduction
Homosexuality is not a foreign concept to Africans. However, all African countries but South Africa have criminalized same-sex marriage. In some countries like Uganda, homosexual behavior carries up to 14 years of prison time. The west made African behavior criminal in the continent and later changed tune, and today, western countries are calling on African countries to recognize LGBTQ rights. Views on homosexuality have gone through several iterations. At first, in pre-colonial Africa, homosexuality in the continent was normal and legal. In the wake of African 'civilization' through colonialism, homosexuality became criminal and un-African. In post-colonial Africa, the west is trying to make it normal and legal though there is a strong religious push by a part of western religious leaders to maintain the status quo.
Traditional African Societies and Homosexuality
In northern Africa, among the Yoruba people, there is a word for homosexuality, adofuro. Adofuro is a colloquial term for anal sex. Adofuro is a pre-colonial term which shows that there were elements of homosexuality in the community before colonization. In the northern parts of Nigeria, the Hausa people also had a term for men who were considered wives to other men. Bisi Alimi argues that Yan daudu was more about identity than the act.[Nel, Marius. 2020. LGBTIQ + people and Pentecostals: An African Pentecostal hermeneutic perspective. LIT Verlag Münster., 176] [Ibid, 176]
Early literature on African communities by European explorers noted some elements of homosexuality among African communities. In pre-colonial Africa, there were some prominent Africans who were openly gay. King Mwanga II of the Buganda kingdom in present-day Uganda was openly gay. He was not ostracized, and he was considered a king like any other who came before him. Theoretically, the Buganda people accepted homosexuality during the reign of King Mwanga II. Farther east, in Kenya, the Kamba, Kipsigis communities recognized woman to woman marriages. Whilst the main reason for a woman to woman marriage was for the sake of children, especially when one of them was barren, it highlights that the community was not against homosexuality.[Cole, Catherine M., Takyiwaa Manuh, Stephan F. Miescher, and Stephan Miescher. 2007. Africa After Gender? Indiana University Press.] [Cadigan, R. 1998. "Woman-to-Woman Marriage: Practices and Benefits in Sub-Saharan Africa." Journal of Comparative Family Studies 29 (1): 89-98.]
The Demonization of Homosexuality in Africa
Clearly, traditional African communities were not opposed to same-sex marriage and or homosexuality. Anthropologists struggle to find evidence of same-sex marriage in African communities because of the influence of missionaries and early colonialists. First, they introduced Christianity, which demonized homosexuality. As Christianity penetrated the continent, the identity of African culture and their views on sex changed. Additionally, the missionaries selectively decided what to report or document about African communities. Very few missionaries documented African communities' sexual relations or views. They mostly...
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