Prostitution in selected colonial and post - colonial Shona novels

Abstract

This paper comparatively analyses the portrayal of prostitution in Garandichauya (1964), Pafunge (1972), Mapenzi (1999) and Ndozviudza Aniko? (2006). It mainly focuses on the causes of prostitution as well as the images given to the prostitutes. The first two novels are set in colonial Zimbabwe whilst the other two in the post-colonial era. In Garandichauya, the author fails to put prostitution in its proper historical and socio-economic context as he blames individual prostitutes labelling them pariahs and social renegades thus rendering them negative images. As for Mapenzi, the writer has an ambivalent vision as he vacillates between blaming the neo-colonial system and the prostitutes in their individual capacities as they are shown to be the bringers of mishap in their societies. It is in Pafunge and Ndozviudza Aniko? where the writers, regardless of writing in two different historical eras, treat the aspect of prostitution fairly. The authors blame the forces operating in both the colonial and the post-colonial periods as being responsible for compelling women into prostitution. Prostitutes are shown to be victims of the diabolic systems of colonialism and neo-colonialism. The paper argues that literature is quite a powerful and effective way of influencing social behaviour and attitudes and therefore failing to give real causes of prostitution as well as giving negative images to prostitutes will not help society appreciate their predicament. Usually in any crisis, women are the most vulnerable and they turn to prostitution as a means of survival. Therefore, prostitution becomes an escape route for women caught in a poverty trap. Key words: Africana-Womanism, prostitution, colonial Zimbabwe, post-colonial Zimbabwe.