Religion and child marriages in the Johane Marange Apostolic Sect: the case study of Chihota communal areas,1917-2015.

Abstract

The study focuses on religion and child marriages from 1917-2015. Case of Johane Marange Apostolic Sect of Chihota communal areas. The study reveals the background to the history of child marriages in Zimbabwe from the pre-colonial period which reveals that child marriages has got an African traditional-cultural origin. There are a lot of consequences of the Johane Marange Sect’s marriage practices which includes illiteracy, abuse of women and poor health outcomes as a result of the sect’s belief in spiritual healing which prohibits the members to receive modern medication. The study also examines the teaching or doctrines of the JMAS and how it promotes child marriages. The study made use of oral interviews, questionnaires, observation as well as secondary data in collecting information.