Richly surveys the contemporary society in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia, is freshly examined in this content-rich, accessible overview. Culture and Customs of Zimbabwe evokes the contemporary ways of life in a largely homogenous and agricultural country. Students and the general reader will be engaged in the narrative, from an explanation of the beer culture to a powerful discussion of marriage, family, and gender roles from the Zimbabwean point of view. This one-stop volume is ideal for research and reports on another important African nation. Zimbabwe won its independence from Great Britain in 1980 and the evolving traditions of the Zimbabweans provide the most interest. Still, the impact of Western lifestyles and prejudices continues to be felt, and Owomoyela authoritatively conveys the coexistence of traditional and Western forces today in such areas as religion and music. A chronology and glossary accompany the text.