Full Description
Audrey Smedley offers a unique interpretation of the role of women in traditional patrilineal societies. Her research with the Birom people of Nigeria reveals that one reason for the dominance of patrilyny as an organizing principle in human societies is that many of its critical features were in fact invented by women. She raises new questions about the nature of patrilineal systems, and why women have protected and promoted the values and principles of patrilyny in many societies. Smedley's study of the Birom contradicts the vision of women as passive agents in the construction of social realities. She shows how relationships among men are more rigidly cast than those among women, or between women and men. Individual chapters explore the nature of gender distinctions, how they evolved historically, and how women's decision-making contributes to the successful exploitation of their environment. Smedley critiques Western feminist philosophy and beliefs as they have been applied to indigenous African peoples. This book is a contribution to new global studies that document the realities of women's lives that often contradict Western assumptions. Her book will be a valuable resource for researchers in anthropological kinship and theory, gender studies, race & ethnicity, and African studies.
Contents
Part 1 Preface Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 Chapter 1: The Birom People and Their History Chapter 4 Chapter 2: Cultural Ecological Features of the Pre-Colonial Past Chapter 5 Chapter 3: Du Village: Organization of Space and People Chapter 6 Chapter 4: The Ecological Basis of the Kin Group Chapter 7 Chapter 5: The Life Cycle of the Kin Group Chapter 8 Chapter 6: Ritual and the Distribution of Public Power Chapter 9 Chapter 7: Village Wards and Other Forms of Social Control Chapter 10 Chapter 8: Gender, Marriage, and the Establishment of the Domestic Unit Chapter 11 Chapter 9: Internal Relationships with the Domestic Unit Chapter 12 Chapter 10: Social Networks: Webs of Kinship and Friendship Chapter 13 Chapter 11: Women and Patrilyny: Summary and Theoretical Implications Part 14 Appendices Part 15 A. Economic Realities at the End of the Colonial Era Part 16 B1. Genealogies: Lo Shom Dong (Lo Gong Jing, Lo Rwang Shom) Chapter 17 B2. Genealogies: Lo Gyang Pwara (Lo Kwon, Lo Bwei) Chapter 18 B3. Genealogies: Lo Chang Chapter 19 B4. Genealogies: Lo Gyang Bagei (Lo Dam) Chapter 20 B5. Genealogies: Lo Kwon, Lo Bwa, LoGo Zang Chapter 21 References Part 22 Index Part 23 About the Author
