‘Bhuti’: Meaning and Masculinities in Xhosa Brothering

Abstract

The article explores the connections between context, masculinity and the fraternal relationship to understand brotherhood in Xhosa culture. The participant was a Xhosa man (32 years old, with tertiary level education). Data were collected using a semi-structured interview. The data suggest that the fraternal bond is constructed as a complex interplay of sometimes contradictory stances including those that reinforce authoritarian and hierarchical brothering practices. Counternarratives highlight the potential for intimacy and equality in these male-male relationships.

Keywords:

• fraternal relationship
• masculinities
• social constructionism
• narrative analysis
• Xhosa