Rural criminology and traditional practices in South Africa: Exploring the impact of violence during the Umguyo ceremony

Tandiwe Mdlungu
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Tandiwe Mdlungu: University of South Africa

International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 516-524

Abstract: South Africa continues to experience high levels of violent crime, with the South African Police Service (SAPS) recording over 22,000 murders in 2023/2024, alongside increasing incidents of robbery and assault. While these statistics are alarming, little is known about the hidden forms of violence that occur within cultural settings, particularly during traditional ceremonies such as Umguyo, a Xhosa ritual that precedes Ulwaluko (Traditional Male Circumcision). This paper aims to evaluate the social, economic, and psychological effects of violence during the Umguyo practice on families and the broader rural community. It is also aimed at examining how such violence disrupts cultural harmony, education, and community life, while deepening fear and trauma in affected communities. Drawing on rural criminology and decolonial perspectives, the study employs a qualitative research design based on documentary analysis and key informant accounts to explore the intersection of culture, violence, and social control. The findings suggest that violence during Umguyo is often normalised, underreported, and framed as part of “discipline†or cultural rites, making accountability difficult to pursue. This normalisation perpetuates cycles of silence, fear, and structural inequality. The paper argues for culturally sensitive, community-based interventions that address harmful practices while respecting cultural identity, as well as stronger legislative and policy frameworks that protect vulnerable groups in rural settings. By foregrounding hidden violence in traditional spaces, the study contributes to broader debates on rural safety, gendered harm, and the need to rethink cultural practices through a human-rights oriented lens. Key Words: rural criminology; traditional practices; Umguyo ceremony; cultural violence; decolonial perspectives

Date: 2025
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