Violence perpetuated by consumption of “<i>Mporosi</i>” home-brewed beer during funerals in the rural areas of Malamulele, South Africa

Abstract

Dating back from decades ago when there were funerals, people consumed traditional beer which persist currently. A habit of acceptable and normative consumption of “mporosi” home-brewed beer in preparation of a grave for the deceased during funerals is one of the factors perpetuating violence in the rural areas. Xitsonga speaking people’s culture in South Africa encourages the presence and abuse of home-brewed beer in cultural gatherings and funerals to serve as an agent of socialization. The study pursued to explore and describe violence perpetuated by consumption of “mporosi” home-brewed beer during funerals in the rural areas of Malamulele, South Africa. The qualitative approach, exploratory-descriptive design, non-probability sampling including purposive sampling method, semi-structured interviews schedule and thematic analysis were used to achieve the purpose of this study. The findings revealed that the enduring use of alcohol such as “mporosi” by people figured as “Timhisi or Hyenas” who prepare the grave for the deceased from the ancient time to date during funerals is valued as heritage carried along by Africans. It was also found that drinking “mporosi” home-brewed beer is a habit in the graveyards which have negative effects on young people who become uncontrollable and violent towards others. It is recommended that social workers should facilitate an awareness education through integrated service delivery model on violence perpetuated by consumption of “mporosi” home-brewed beer during funerals in the rural areas. The study concludes that Social workers can serve as educators to inform young people about implications of violence perpetuated by consumption of “mporosi” home-brewed beer during funerals in the rural areas.

Keywords: violence, perpetuate, consumption, home-brewed beer and funeral