What is a man? Xhosa men’s constructions of masculinity as elicited by Inxeba : the wound

Abstract

The available literature indicates a need for research on the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, and culture in South Africa. This study attempted to fill the gap in the existing literature by exploring Xhosa men’s constructions of masculinity. The study aimed to address the interrelationship of sexuality, masculinity, and culture by placing extensive focus on the construction of masculinity amongst amaXhosa. To do this, the study gives Xhosa men a platform to voice their responses to Inxeba: The Wound and their experience of masculinity as Xhosa males. The study used a qualitative research approach and a hermeneutic phenomenological research design, the theoretical framework underpinning the study was social constructivism. Snowball sampling method was used to recruit eight Xhosa men, four who identified as heterosexual and four who were openly gay. Data was collected using an online focus group discussion, this was then analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA). Four major themes emerged from data analysis, namely (i) Masculinity – what it is and what it is not; (ii) doing gender; (iii) homophobia and silencing and (iv) cultural preservation. Various subthemes were identified under each theme. The study found that Xhosa men’s constructions of masculinity were heavily influenced by ulwaluko, however, participants also inferred that it was not just the rite of passage that defined them as being men. The study highlighted the complexities of the intersectionality of culture, gender and sexuality in the South African context. The findings of the study contribute to existing literature on culture, gender and sexuality in South Africa.