Homosexuality began in Africa, not the west
When President Peter Mutharika attended the Umthetho Cultural Festival in Mzimba, two days ago, on Saturday, August 08 2015, the Moderator of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterians (CCAP), Reverend Douglas Chipofya, urged the President to firmly stand against decriminalization of homosexuality in Malawi. Apart from calling it an evil, the Reverend referred to homosexuality as an “alien culture.”
The view that homosexuality is alien to Africans has been widely propagated by several traditional and faith leaders, and even great sons of Africa that topped or continue to top the echelons of African political leadership like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Sam Nujoma of Namibia, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and the late Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi, to mention only a few of them.
But while I totally agree with the Reverend and the rest of the African religious community that homosexuality is evil, I would like to differ with the view that it is alien to Africans. Homosexuality is not an alien culture to Africans because historically, Africans were the first human beings to practice homosexuality not Europeans or Americans. Therefore, homosexuality is not an importation from the West, if anything, what Africans imported from the West is the criminalization of homosexuality, which only began when Europeans colonized Africa between the 1880s and 1900 and enforced their political governments and legal systems on our continent.
As a matter of fact, Africans are historically rather tolerant towards homosexuality and they tolerated homosexuality until Europeans came with Christianity which introduced homophobia. Homophobia is rooted in the belief that homosexuality is sinful, because that is what the Bible teaches. But the Bible is not an African book; neither is Christianity a typical African Religion, but a Western one. Therefore, if Africans must blame the West for anything to do with Homosexuality, then we must blame them for criminalization of homosexuality and homophobia through teachings of the Bible because that is what they brought, not the culture of homosexuality.
Secular history shows that homosexuality was practiced in Ancient Egypt about 4500 years ago. The first human homosexual couples on earth lived in the Egyptian city of Saqqara in 2400 BCE. Their names were Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum. They were manicurists who served in the palace of the Pharaoh, and according to Egyptologist Greg Reeder, they were among the privileged few who could actually touch the Pharaoh. Given the years of the homosexuality between Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum, these two gentlemen practiced homosexuality 500 years earlier than the famous Biblical homosexuals of the city of Sodom whom God burned in Genesis 19.
And the Bible too supports the reality of Egyptian homosexuality. The Bible reports Egyptian homosexuality, alongside the homosexuality of the people of Canaan in Leviticus 18:24-27. Given the year Leviticus was written, and the departure of Israelites from Egypt (1440 BCE) the homosexuality is reported in a period in Egyptian history referred to as the New Kingdom which existed between 1550 BCE to 1069 BCE. The Bible does not give a clue, as to when the homosexuality in Egypt begun, but it does clearly state that the behavior was rampant in Egypt even when the Israelites lived there as slaves for 430 years (Exod 12:40). It is clear therefore, that there was homosexuality in Egypt probably as early as 1900 BCE, which is the same year the people of Sodom were practicing homosexuality.
however, even going by Biblical history, the people of Egypt might still be the first to practice homosexuality, because despite practicing it at the same time with Canaanites of Sodom and Gomorrah, it is important to remember that Egypt was the political and military superpower of these ages, and did Colonize even territories of Canaan, in which case, much of the culture of Canaan was influenced by Egyptians. Therefore, Canaanites might have copied homosexuality from Egyptians.
Another oldest occurrence of African homosexuality is recorded to have occurred in Zimbabwe about 2000 years ago, and that is according to a 2013 report by the Amnesty International. The homosexuality in Zimbabwe was practiced by the Khoisan or Bushmen that were earlier inhabitants of Zimbabwe. If you seriously consider the year of Zimbabwean homosexuality, you will notice that there was homosexuality in Zimbabwe almost the very same years that Jesus Christ was on earth.
In South Sudan too, there was institutionalized homosexuality among the Zande people. The homosexuality was pederastic (between boys and men). It was practiced until around the 1850s and it was brought to the global spotlight by a renowned British Anthropologist E.E Evans Pritchard who visited the Zande community in person, and document the pederasty.
I have only given a few incidences just to show that even before Europeans began to get civilization, Africans had already discovered homosexuality, and they practiced it for thousands of years before the Europeans came to Africa. And throughout the thousands of years, there is no recorded evidence that the homosexuality was criminalized, or that there was homophobia.
My argument therefore, is that if Africans and of course the government of Malawi must fight against the gay rights revolution sweeping across the continent and mounting up within our very country, we must get our facts straight, and understand the truth about homosexuality, not promoting heresies. We must first stop living in denial that homosexuality is not African, and address it as a reality not a mere western concept or ideology, because like the Human Rights activist, now Prophet, or Apostle, Undule Mwakasungula challenged in his recent article on Nyasa Times “pro-gay rights movements and supporters are very strong, vibrant, solid and well connected. They have an agenda and purpose to achieve.”
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What is sin Mr Obama and who defines what is and what is not? Is it okay for politicians who steal millions of dollars or Kwachas of public funds to condemn men or women who have what others consider abnormal sexual preferences to prison or death? Why are we the “normal” behaving like the Pharisees? What has happened to the freedom of ASSOCIATION OR CHOICE? Let us not confuse between homosexuality and sodomy. Where is the state’s problem when two men/women agree to bang each other in the privacy of their homes? This is different from sodomy where a man forces himself on another ie without consent. Sibande is right when he says Christianity is a foreign religion and it is becoming a mental illness where some are concerned.
Sibande I don’t think you are supporting Undule here. Undule admitted homosexuality is a sin but let us not discriminate the homosexuals … If they are sinners let us deliver them from thier bondage …
U just want to cheat us.u cant even convince us.all v verses u mention doesnt support ur claim.v devil iz using u.God of ours wont allow dat.shame on you
Zimenezi zikuchokela mkamwa mwa abusa? He would have done better by closing her stinking mouth.
Your argument lacks facts the Leviticus verse you have quoted does not say of homosexuality. If the Africans did it is because they did not know that it is sin. But now we know the truth and whether it was there or not sin remains sin. We know the truth you cannot take us backward. Our forefathers sinned because did not realised that it was sinful. They even used to do human sacrifices which they did not know that it was sinful. Now we know the truth. Mr Sibande if the west countries have given you the money. Continue eating those bloody sinful money and at the end you will perish with it. Homosexuality is fighting against God’s plan of human existence. If your father found another man as a wife would you been born Mr. Sibande? What we are saying as Malawians let those who commit those sins do but should not drag the whole Malawi into their selfish desires. Rights? Rights for what? It is also against my rights for someone to do what I feel will spoil the order of God’s plan. Read the bible properly man.
Your expose needs a lot of citations and quotations if it is to be of substance.
HAAA!!!!!! ASIYENI AZPANGA CHIKUKUKHUZANI NDI CHIYANI? YOU ARE FAILING KUDYA NSIMA CHIFUKWA CHA HOMOSEXUAL?
africans only started homosexuality cause they were uneducated and we regreat it but dnt let the past distroy the future.. I say no to homosexuality
the leviticus verse you have quoted mentions nothing about homosexual.
Whether it started in Africa, Africans themselves realised that it is wrong to continue practising it . This is the sole reason they had to stop practising it
Babylon system..fake information in order to blacken Gods children..This is check book journalism..Fire burn workers of iniquity
I would like to correct the writer of this article , that Christianity is not western , but meddle eastern it was born in Antioch church in meddle east . It just Travelex to the west . Homosexual is sin just as stealing murder etc. So this sin doesn’t please God as it is a creation of the evil one in opposition to Gods plan . It doesn’t produce anything but violets Gods law but is a sin of rebellion . Hence the multiple plagues that comes with it. That is Gods judgement on sin , it won’t go unpunished either in Africa Europe or america where ever Sin is found it shall be judged by the creator .
Why are Africans so shamefully and disgustingly homophobic? I would blame the influence of Christianity.
This heterosexual resident of San Francisco, USA finds it highly ironic that homosexuality, which is natural, has been vilified by religion, which is man-made. Even worse, since homosexuality began in Africa (because humanity began in Africa and humans, like many other animals, naturally engage in homosexual behavior) and Christianity and Islam began outside of Africa, we have another ironic situation in which Africans are embracing foreign invaders hell-bent on extinguishing natural African behavior.
Homosexuality will be legal in Malawi, and the rest of Africa, given a long enough timeline. How do I know this? Because history is progressive. The most socially advanced nations on earth are legalizing homosexuality. Even more traditional societies in Latin America and even South Africa have done so. It is only a matter of time, and those who are opposed to recognizing the humanity and normalcy of their LGBT brothers and sisters will one day appear as barbarically bigoted as those who once argued in favor or slavery or against women’s enfranchisement.
Good article. Homosexuality is African by origin. Christianity, with its anti-homosexuality connotations, is foreign. And many Christians are playing double standards about the sins listed in the Bible. Homosexuality is a sin, yes, but so is adultery. Why is adultery not disdained with the same vehemence as homosexuality? If Jesus stopped the Pharisees from stoning and adulterous woman of the Bible on account that all sins are equal, why should someone consider homosexuals to be more sinners than adulterers? For all have sinned, no one is qualified to condemn another. Only God should judge and condemn us because only Him is holy, not a fellow sinner condemning another sinner. I for one cannot accept being condemned by a fellow human being, not even once, for sinning, because all humans have their own sins. I don’t justify sinning, but I see no justification for a fellow sinner to judge and condemn other sinners. Mind your own sins. Mind the log in your eye. Leave homosexuals alone. Not that I’m homosexual myself; I’m a perfect heterosexual machine. But I hate double standards and hypocrisy played by many so-called Christians. I am dadaboma.
i agree with Ndope. Even in ancient times, I have never heard in history that it was acceptable and what is alien and has always been alien is the acceptance of evil to be good. this is what all and sundry are saying is alien not how old the practice has been. By extension, prostitution is said to be oldest profession and even if it has never been accepted as the right thing in society. infact in malawi it has been there as long as our humans have been in malawi and it has a vernacular name but it was a secret thing and it will be alien to move it out of secrecy to open practice. This is what the clergy are saying. For example, cashgate will always be evil despite the cashgater buying you a mercedes benz. so the reverend called it by hat is is!! Think Mr. Sibande think!!
Can the brother please provide us with evidence from his research that supports his assertions? Am eagerly awaiting his response, otherwise, he should just enjoy his money paid by the gays and lesbians associations quietly.
The fact that homosexuality existed in ancient African Societies does not make the practice acceptable and right in our time today. Should we say for example that because in old societies parents could marry their girls as early as 13 years therefore it should not be a crime today? That’s nonsense of course. In our civilization today, we have agreed to criminalize homosexuality and there are valid reasons for that. The author should re-construct his argument otherwise it is empty rhetoric.
za chamba eti!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Achimwene it doesn’t matter how much knowledge you might have about the origin of gays or whatever you may wish to call it that doesn’t make the practice to be good at all. You may wish to use the beautiful language the way you have done, but that does not change the face of this ugly sinful act.
You have actually allowed to be used by the devil (The source of gays) to come up with this nutsy explanation of yours. If you are the true son of Malawi, please, repent for your misleading detailed explanation.
This is an English language website. The article in question was in English language. Why do so many persons give comments in another language? Why are they allowed to do so? If they can read and understand the article, then they should be able to comment in English. Unless they only know the heading of the subject, and then can pour out their usual kkkkk idiocy without given thought to the basic argument of the article.
The article argues that gays were on the continent long before the wazungu appeared, and the practice was not considered evil in most cultures at the time. The “evil” aspect comes in with the imported Abrahamic religions, where foreign interpreters of applied faith introduced Malawians to a one god we should fear throughout our lives. Is that really a god to worship? At least please stop the vitriol uttering and instead rethink what you have been made to believe by men who tells you what they want you to believe that God wants.
Mr Sibande, what message are you trying to convey? Is originality of the practice something to smile about? Reading between the lines you sound like you are saying homosexuality is good. And it is good because it originated from Africa. Is that the message Mr Sibande? I take it that you might be gay. Hence your senseless article. The Egyptian example is misplaced because Egypt was hub of trade in those days. Remember Joseph? He was leaving in Pharaohs compound but he was not from Africa. Those two guys you mention might not have been Africans. So please do not mislead your countrymen about evil things. Lets say no to homosexuality. You dig it?
Zabodza izi!!Zimene zimachitika ku ma Continents enawo that time,akudziwa mndani?Why are you always polishing this Homosexual thing as if it’s a Contagious disease!!??MBUZI ZA ANTHU INU!!TO HELL WITH YOUR EVIL PRACTICES.
Gays you are shameless people what a future are you they creating for our kids? The point Mr Sibande we are not against the west but we are against this evil practice. Imagine your parents strived to get you education and this is what you can offer? May be you were born out of your father? How can you be attracted to your fellow dude then you must sick in the head. Even a male beetle knows its female partner it follows her everywhere. You are spoiling the world God will panish you.
Homosexuality has been there in Africa. Everyone who has gone to TEBA will in those old days will tell about mathanyula! It is not new thing in Africa. However, it is not a natural or in-born trait in a person as Sibande rightly said. Homosexually amachita kuyamba based on someone’s interests which is mostly based on earning some money or resources to survive. It is not a human rights issue as Undule presents this because no one was born to be a homosexual! It is practice that distorts and is against human creation. It is actually these advocates who are against human rights for advocating to let openly practices that contradict to human creation!
I don’t think the writer of article is encouraging people to be homosexuals. According to him, homosexuality is evil, however, his argument is on the origin of the same.
Even a dog can differentiate male from female, what more human beings? Romans chapter 4, the last 7 verses says what God thinks about homosexuality .Its better to follow what God says than man!!
shame!mwagulidwa ndi zingati asibande?Who does not know how evil azungu are?.who occupied africa at that time?Arabs or blacks?
Malikisi zero
There are so many ills of this practice. Ok for a moment. My brother Sibande seems to know much but what he does not know is Why are Europeans and Americans so desperate about it? I live in a European country where they recently conducted referendum on same and so many issues came up. The most intriguing issue is about children. These people want to manufacture children in a factory where gays and lesbians can go and buy these children. My brother Sibande!!! Will you allow your mother? Sister or even your wife to be used as a surrogate mother???? Or will you be one of those men who will go to the sperm bank and sell their sperms??? Sibande ukutichititsa manyadzi anthu a kumpoto. Funny thing is that those pushing for it in Malawi are not even gays? Please gays come out in open and fight your battle so we can see you. Otherwise I guess Undule is married to a woman so is the so called Sibande. Shame kwa anthu inu okudya manyi.
This is total nonsense, trash coming from people who are supposed to be wise enough but alas useless people.
bwanji osamangodya mboloyo mwamtendere. Usatinyase ndi mabodza akowo. Uhomo anayambitsa ndi ma Greek
Olo ndi pang’ono pomwe sizinalowe m’mutu mwangamu ayi,mukwatilane inuyo kaye Ma Tonde nokhanokha kenako muzitiuza mwina tinva kupanda apo aaah kaya!!
Yes currently Malawi is facing lots of challenges, Including economic challenges……of which can not solely resolved without considering other connecting factors like sense behind some of these laws……….I am a Christian and strongly believe in not forcing my religious beliefs on others but preach the gospel per Christ teachings.there after let those who hear the message decide by God grace! Ngati akana kumva sasa fumbi ku mapazi! Don’t try to force through advocating for earthly imprisonment! As for responsibility of punishing and judging belongs to God.Hence hate Sin as you will not result into sin itself, because that will not be part of you……whilst if you hate a sinner, who is your fellow hhuman being, just know that yourself you become a sinner as you fall short in loving thy neighbors!…….hence generally advocating for earthly punishment in this instant surmount expression of hate towards neighbors who dearly in need of religious support in order to return to right way………Governments need to be inclusive hence it’s laws are governed by constitution which is not based on anybody’s religious book or beliefs, although in other instances might be similar, but it’s not wise to think bible or Qur’an or any other to the same as country’s constitution! Since it need to safeguard divers rights! Of which some of them might be in conflict with one’s beliefs…….hence to respect our differences whilst living in harmony without losing faith and not stopping to preach the gospel!……….The government is supposed to punish a person when he commits a crime in legal (earthly) sense! Not based on religious beliefs (as it is with those countries they opted for Sharia law)……CrimeI a violation of a law in which there is injury to the public or a member it the public and a term in jail or prison and or a fine as possible penalties may be imposed…so considering nature of the existing law on Homosexualty is not in line with these……since that act is done in privacy, not with a minor, between consented parties……….so where really is these acts injure public, member of public or third party apart from those in act?…….mind you violation in which only the perpetrator is hurt or involved does not surmount to committing a crimes I.e personal injury as a result of illegal use of drugs…….that is why you can’t arrest a person kuti bwanji wapenga ndi chamba or why have you damaged your lungs posuta fodya!…….Hence based on sober view there ni offence committed here, hence just repealing those archaic laws makes sense………..any advocancy maintaining it result in giving license to government to punish innocent people based on religious beliefs or any other unknown basis…….which is really advocancy to unfair environment!!………….m’mimba ndi m’chipala let us be fair to each other!!!!!!!!!!!
zero pa ten,
Chindere chakufikapo
zotombana pathako ife ayi
THEN WHY DO YOU ARREST THIEVES WHO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT STEALING? THEY TOO WILL ARGUE THAT STEALING IS IN THEIR BLOOD. IF THE ISSUE IS ABOUT CAUSING LOSS TO ANOTHER PERSON, WHY THEN DO YOU ARREST AND TRY SOMEONE WHO WANTED TO COMMIT SUICIDE? OR WHY DO YOU ARREST SOMEONE WHO SMOKES CHAMBA. ITS ALSO HIS RIGHT TO DO SO AND HE WILL SAY HE FEELS GOOD WHENHE SMOKES!
Sibande, Undule, Trapance, Mtambo and Obama let your children be role models of Homo or Heterosexuality so that we can appreciate it and by the way why are you not telling us its benefits. Bullshit!
Wikipedia is well known not to be an authoritative source in academic circles. Anyone can go on it and edit as they please, making it unreliable. To me this article is more believable than wikipedia. Reason he has cited your bible, amnesty and other reliable sources. Checkmate!
despite your arguements homosexuality is bad & it remains a threat to the institution of marriage & procreation.
Umenewu ndiwo mutu wa round (kuzungulira mutu) kkkkkkk
I agree. Having began and tested homosexuality, Africa came to realise that is dirty and disgusting and therefore cannot be part of our existence. Get lost with homosexuality.
Amalawi lets grow up, zinazitu altomatically shows kuti its evil koma somebody mbuli, chitsiru practising zopusa like this. koma do you go to church? shame.
If we say homosexuality was there before, does it mean we can still practice it now. However, murder was there before and that doesn’t mean that it is not a sin to kill someone.
Well written and informative article. The problem with us as Malawians and Africans is umbuli. We cling to things without understanding them. Christianity was brought by Europeans but today we own it and our pastors and reverends are using it to enrich themselves in front of our eyes to the point of being visited by the so-called learned people and leaders ie. Joyce Banda. There are so many sins bigger than homosexuality and this practice has been there for centuries among our people but it remained secretive and criminalised. Let is support minority rights. We gain nothing by demonising innocent people.
Gays, true, may not be forcing anyone to adopt their ways. If this is so why are they loud mouthed. There are several hidden agendas we know behind legalizing gayism; like being allowed to adopt our kids. If u want kids just marry the opposite sex. Every choice in life has its own consequences
what is not proper about it? ngati iwe sudya njoka ndekuti njoka sichakudya? asiyeni anzanu akondane monga afunira.
Please follow this link which disproves this idiots belief.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/timeline_ofLGBT_history_in_Britain
Please follow this link which disproves this idiots belief.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_in_LGBT_rights
All so called Malawian activists, FUCK U ,BULSHIT Shut ur dirty mouth up!!!!
Wopanda nzeru ndinu mukugwiritsa ntchito internet yopanga azungu osawalekera bwanji internet’yo becoz it’s alien
I am glad that you rightly pointed out that Sodom and Gomorah were destroyed not by men but by God for the same acts meaning that it is indeed evil despite being championed all over the world. Roman 16 verse 19 of the bible says, ” Be wise on good things and simple on evil. Be wise brother!
A well written cheek-in-mouth article, which most stupid Malawians, and that is most, cannot comprehend. Oh we are so god-fearing, and knows no home-breed evil, it is all mzungu or witchcraft, bla bla. Somebody do something about it bla bla. What is certainly evil is Malawi men forcing sex on small girls, spoiling their bodies and lives forever. Gays dont molest children, period, holier than holy ones do.
I totally agree with Sibande and again if we can research the history of prisons in Africa; many people have been practicing gaysim. To be honest I feel like those who put their feet down and say not here in Malawi as we are God fearing county; somewhere they miss what was long time recorded in the Holy Bible that when you see such and such behaviours, just know that Jesus Christ is nearly. A true Christian will not defend Christ but rather will follow Christ teachings of love Christ himself said he came for sinners and not those who are right.At one point; disciples of Jesus Christ asked him after he had healed a man that between him and his parents who sinned? Jesus answered them that it was not what they were thinking but God allowed that to happen so that he God can be glorified. My prayer is that laws that criminilize gays should totally be removed. And it is my prayer that those who worship God in truth and in Spirit will cease the opportunity to befriend and love such people to the point that at the end; one is able to preach the gospel to the person. If we do believe that God can cure anything, then having a gay friend and imparting each other with the word, nothing is impossible. Let it be known again that sometimes as christians we do things of which we are. fully aware that it is a sin against God. A gay person can understand as well what the Holy Bible instruct us that it is abomination against God to do such but he is trapped in as the inate thing and might go ahead to do something he wish he could not do.King David in Psalms 24 says who is of pure heart that he or she can stand in the presence of God. I can tell you now that, in our own, all of us fails and we can only make it when we follow teachings of Jesus Christ, love your nebour.
PROOFLESS
Mr Sibande whatever you can say won’t change our mindsets that homosexuality is evil and alien because why is it that Africans are not enforcing it on other continents if they really started it and to the contrary Africans are against it and are resisting hardly to accept it so how can someone resist what he invented? You have no common sense Mr Sibande. As of me I don’t care how many degrees someone can amass but if he lacks common sense to me he is worthy a toilet paper.
Sibande why dont u marry Trapence, Undule and Mtambo to proveur useless arguments? Why cant u renounce ur citizenship in Malawi and live in Sodom in pieces?
No gay at Malawi wedont Satanism In our country to hell with gays
No question that homosexuality existed in Malawi way before colonization. Possibly even among pre-Bantu settlements. Among the Akafula.
The myth that homosexuality is an import from the west is perpetrated by the “new” Christians or Evangelicals. Evidently, homosexuality was introduced to the Azungu, by us Africans. How about that?
Even during Kamuzu’s rule, when morality was policed to the maxi, those with ears to the ground would tell you about homosexuality right here in the villages. And most citizens, commendably,developed tolerance to this practice. No vitriol there!
Learn to live with it. Gays are not even attempting to force their way of life on you.
And then are we supposed to practice it after realizing that it is not proper?
A desperate man trying to make sense out of Nonsense. Next time ask your benefactors to demonstrate on you how homosexuals have see, uone uyambe kuvala ma diapers. Foolish and lazy man who wants easy money even if it’s from the devil!
Too long an article on trivia careless senseless thoughtless matter
Ganyu siisowatu a Sibande. Apa ikuchita kuwonekeratu pamtunda kuti mwalembetsa.
Neymar, you are right. Malawi has economic issues to worry about osakhala ku kokoma manyi ku matako.
We even dont av time to read ur stuppid nosense,go to sodom &gomola if u feel so not in mw
I ll believe this when the trapence and ntambo leave their wives and marry other men, failing which no .
Paper does not refuse ink. Who wrote the so called history you are referring to? These are the kind of of people who are easily brainwashed to believe David Livingston discovered Lake Malawi. This is history written by the neo-colonialists in the West. Bullshit
Paper does not refuse ink. Who wrote the so called history you are referr
Sibande Undule Trapence Mtambo just admit you are gay but don’t involve Malawians in your filth!!! Useless faggots
You Sibande, Mwakasungula and Trapence! You are eating money blood and homosexual money from Azungu too much! Chonsecho inu munakwatira azimayi and not fellow men. Watch this space. You will feel the pinch when your own daughters or sons bring to your homes partners of the same gender. Chalo ichi ni mazgola banyane.
Ths issue is not discussable, not here in malawi, we gat better issues at stake to discuss about, why should we waste our time on useless stuff, grow some balls people. Ths act is evil n alien, period!