Paper short abstract:

This paper discusses how migrant Malawian women in urban Harare, Zimbabwe have engaged kindred social networks to adapt and survive in a foreign space

Paper long abstract:

Starting from the early 19th century onwards, women from Malawi migrated to Zimbabwe following their husbands who were coming under the labour migration system to work in Zimbabwean urban, mine and farming spaces. It was in these localities that they established unique and sophisticated kindred mutual aid societies to adapt and survive in a foreign and hostile frontier. In Harare, these organizations have been quite influential in providing socio-economic mutual help and assistance to members in the event of illness, death and financial constraints, and are an established feature of Zimbabwean urban life. They have been seen to function as self-supporting social networks that ease some of the trauma associated with urbanization and help maintain some of the traditions and cultural values of their members. These networks have become crucial self-support platforms that advise members when a death occurs; meet the cost of burial (coffin, providing food and transport for mourners); visit sick members; pay hospital fees; give loans to members and also organise social gatherings. Malawian women have used these associations for economic advancement through the acquisition of properties in Zimbabwe and remitting of funds to relatives in Malawi. The networks also meet their latent needs like easing the trauma experienced by the migrant women to the urban area. Hence the paper asserts that migrant Malawian women have thrived on these kindred social networks over the years which have smoothened their stay in a foreign space.