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Paper short abstract:

Focussing on sexual encounters, I discuss the life story of a 38-year-old male resident of Bushbuckridge, South Africa, and argue that life stories offer theoretical advantages over theoretical models in assessing African sexual culture.

Paper long abstract:

This paper discusses the life story of a thirty-eight year old male resident of Bushbuckridge, South Africa, focusing specifically on his sexual relations and encounters. I suggest that life stories offer several theoretical advantages over theoretical models of African sexual culture. It is more likely to reveal the interplay of different discourses on sexuality. To highlight the impact of institutions such as schools, migrant compounds, and drinking houses on sexual behaviour and distinguish between what people say and what they are constrained to do.