Percepções e representações sociais do lobolo no contexto urbano actual, Bairro Luís Cabral- Cidade de Maputo

Abstract

This work is of a qualitative nature and seeks to reflect on the perceptions and representations residents of the Luís Cabral neighborhood about the lobolo practice. It is also sought perceive to what extent this perception and social representations contribute to the perpetuation of lobolo in today's urban context. To achieve the objective of this work, a literature review, participant observation and semi-structured interview technique were used. The theoretical perspective that guided the realization of this work was symbolic interactionism. Data collected on the ground reveal that the lobolo practice has an important meaning first for the bride and groom who now enjoy a privileged status in society. Second for the parents of the bride and groom, since they are seen by the society around them as having given “good education” to his children and, for the ancestors. It was also inferred that the lobolo can have negative social implications of various kinds. Regarding social representations, it was also inferred that there is a system of terminology used to designate the son-in-law who has not lobolized the one who has already lobolated, which disqualifies the son-in-law who has not yet lobolled, thus forcing him to do so. Since with the designation of mukwaxe, the man who has not yet lobolated, feels forced to perform it, in the sense of moving from this condition to the condition of mukonwana (son-in-law). we also infer that older people play a major role in the perpetuation lobolo, since they advise the youngest to perform the lobolo. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)