Chiramu : Cultural Heritage or Harmful Tradition? Perspectives From Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom

This qualitative study explores Zimbabwean perceptions of Chiramu , a cultural practice involving flirtation between a man and his sister-in-law, among participants in Zimbabwe and the UK diaspora. The study compares the views of Chiramu between Zimbabweans living in the continent and those living in the diaspora. Chiramu is a cultural practice that involves flirtation between a man and his sister-in-law. While traditionally viewed as kinship-building, Chiramu is increasingly recognised as reinforcing gender-based violence (GBV), child abuse and patriarchal norms. Guided by postcolonial feminist theory and the ecological model of GBV, the study highlights tensions between cultural preservation and human rights. Findings reveal its link to intimate partner violence, polygamy and reproductive health risks, especially in rural Zimbabwe. The paper calls for a balanced cultural preservation that respects women and girls’ rights, and the exploration of alternative, non-harmful ways of sustaining familial bonds to mitigate Chiramu ’s harmful impact. co