Runyoka (Sex Lock Spells) in Zimbabwe
catherine yronwode
http://www.suntimes.co.za/2000/01/23/news/gauteng/njhb23.htm
-- and i am sure that folks familiar with African-American
rootwork will recognize these African Runyoka spells for
"locking" and for "fixing" a spouse's nature through erectile
dysfunction -- because they have not changed much in America!
--cat
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Sunday Times
23 January 2000
Gauteng
Jealous spouses use spells to lock love
TAPIWA MOYO: Harare
'Cultural practice should not be used as a tool to
oppress women'
THE use of traditional potions to prevent spouses or
sexual partners from being unfaithful is gaining
popularity in Zimbabwe. While it is known as runyoka
or rukawo it has now attained a modern nickname, the
"human central locking system", and is surreptitiously
administered to unsuspecting partners, usually wives,
by their jealous or over-protective spouses.
In some instances, mistresses use it on their boyfriends
because they want to starve the rival woman, while
prostitutes use it to "fix" a client who refuses to pay the
agreed fee.
"It's like an alarm system you install at home or on a
car, to prevent sex outside the union, just like the
chastity belt," said Peter Sibanda, the public relations
secretary for the Zimbabwe National Traditional
Healers' Association.
The charms, which n'anga or sangomas say are in great
demand, are found in various forms and with varying
effects.
"It's quite popular now and prices are going up daily,"
Sibanda said, adding that each n'anga set his own fee.
While the "central locking system" is seen by some as
one way to control infidelity among couples, especially
in these days of HIV/AIDS, the healers' association
rejects the practice and punishes members found
prescribing it.
"We condemn every form of runyoka . We think it's
no longer competent in these days and we encourage
faithfulness between couples," Sibanda said.
One of the most common forms of runyoka is the "dog
style", which supposedly prevents cheating partners
from separating after intercourse.
A man takes a pocket knife or a nail cutter that has been
prepared by a traditional healer and asks the
unsuspecting woman to close the blades. By doing so, it
is believed, the woman "locks" herself.
If she then makes love with another man, the two will
fail to uncouple until the man who locked the woman
opens the knife or nail cutter.
Other magic charms used on women are believed to
make her lover's penis disappears in the same manner
that a tortoise head retreats into its shell; cause him to
develop serious stomach cramps that could lead to
death; make him lose weight and develop symptoms
synonymous with AIDS, and grow scales on his skin
like a fish.
There are similar charms used by women on men.
They usually involve the disappearance of male organs
or failure to have an erection.
Fathers are known to go to sangomas to ensure
daughters do not have sex before marriage. Some girls
are forbidden to shake hands with a male as it might
trigger the effect.
Using a condom does not render the voodoo
ineffective, Sibanda says. "The system is triggered by
penetration. That which enters without authority will
be dealt with," he claims.
The healers' association says the system of locking each
other is not confined to any specific group or class but
cuts across the social strata from magistrates, politicians
and businessmen to ordinary working-class people.
"Even the elite are seeking runyoka ," he says.
However, men are more likely to make use of runyoka,
prompting Sibanda to say: "Cultural practices should
not be used as a tool to oppress women."
Although runyoka is not approved by the association it
is widespread in some areas.
Recently, a couple was reported to be unable to
untangle themselves after illicit intercourse. The
adulterers were taken to hospital in Zimbabwe where
medical staff were said to have watched helplessly until
the man died on top of the woman after some days.
Some charms expire after a certain period but others
can only be undone by the person who requested it.
A year ago, a woman sought help after her husband,
whom she believes went to see a sangoma to prevent
her from committing adultery, died without revealing
the whereabouts of the knife she believes he used to
"lock" her.
The widow remarried three times but, the story goes,
each time her new husband died within a few months.
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