Challenging the received orthodoxies of social anthropology, Ifi Amadiume argues that in precolonial society, sex and gender did not necessarily coincide. Examining the structures that enabled women to achieve power, she shows that roles were neither rigidly masculinized nor feminized. Economic changes in colonial times undermined women's status and reduced their political role and Dr Amadiume maintains, patriarchal tendencies introduced by colonialism persist today, to the detriment of women. Critical of the chauvinist stereotypes established by colonial anthropology, the author stresses the importance of recognizing women's economic activities as an essential basis of their power. She is also critical of those western feminists who, when relating to African women, tend to accept the same outmoded projections.

Male Daughters, Female Husbands: Gender and Sex in an African Society (Critique Influence Change)

Self-Help

Amadiume, Ifi

Zed Books

Challenging the received orthodoxies of social anthropology, Ifi Amadiume argues that in precolonial society, sex and gender did not necessarily coincide. Examining the structures that enabled women to achieve power, she shows that roles were neither rigidly masculinized nor feminized. Economic changes in colonial times undermined women’s status and reduced their political role and Dr Amadiume maintains, patriarchal tendencies introduced by colonialism persist today, to the detriment of women. Critical of the chauvinist stereotypes established by colonial anthropology, the author stresses the importance of recognizing women’s economic activities as as essential basis of their power. She is also critical of those western feminists who, when relating to African women, tend to accept the same outmoded projections.

Male Daughters, Female Husbands: Gender and Sex in an African Society

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Afrikan Matriarchal Foundations: The Igbo Case

History

Africa

Red Sea Press

Circles of Love: Poems

Africa World+press

In 1987, more than a decade before the dawn of queer theory, Ifi Amadiume published the groundbreaking Male Daughters, Female Husbands to critical acclaim. This compelling, enduring, and highly original book argues that gender, as constructed in Western feminist discourse, did not exist in Africa before the colonial imposition of a dichotomous understanding of sexual difference. Amadiume examines the African societal structures that enabled people to achieve power within fluid masculine and feminine roles. At a time when gender and queer theory is viewed by many as overly focused on identity politics, this apt text not only warns against the danger of projecting Western notions of difference onto other cultures, but also questions the very concept of gender itself. Essential reading for anyone involved in gender studies or anthropology, this outstanding new edition of Male Daughters, Female Husbands will be invaluable for the next generation of researchers.

Re-Inventing Africa: Matriarchy, Religion and Culture

This extraordinary book issues a clarion call for a new understanding of Africa. The author of the best-selling Male Daughters/Female Husbands here issues a challenge to western anthropologists to recognize their own complicity in producing a version of Africa that is often little more than a reflection of their own class-based, patriarchal thought.Professor Amadiume calls instead for a new history of Africa, made and written by Africans. This is such a book.The book* explores how imperialism, violence, patriarchy and class-based social structures - originally imposed by colonialism - have become internalized to result in a contemporary Africa cursed with neo-colonial states.* uncovers the hidden matriarchal history of Africa which continues to empower women in political struggle throughout the continent* looks at the masculinization of indigenous African religions, effected largely by the imposition of Christianity and Islam* provides a guide to the main Afro-centric social theorists, writing a new social history of their continent.Dedicated to the diasporic African communities in their struggle to construct alternative, anti-racist and anti-imperialist epistemologies of self-representation and self-generated ideals, this is the beginning of a new vision of Africa, from the powerful voice of an African woman.

This extraordinary book issues a clarion call for a new understanding of Africa. The author of the best-selling Male Daughters/Female Husbands here issues a challenge to western anthropologists to recognize their own complicity in producing a version of Africa that is often little more than a reflection of their own class-based, patriarchal thought. Professor Amadiume calls instead for a new history of Africa, made and written by Africans. This is such a book. The book * explores how imperialism, violence, patriarchy and class-based social structures - originally imposed by colonialism - have become internalized to result in a contemporary Africa cursed with neo-colonial states. * uncovers the hidden matriarchal history of Africa which continues to empower women in political struggle throughout the continent * looks at the masculinization of indigenous African religions, effected largely by the imposition of Christianity and Islam * provides a guide to the main Afro-centric social theorists, writing a new social history of their continent. Dedicated to the diasporic African communities in their struggle to construct alternative, anti-racist and anti-imperialist epistemologies of self-representation and self-generated ideals, this is the beginning of a new vision of Africa, from the powerful voice of an African woman.

Daughters of the Goddess, Daughters of Imperialism: African Women, Culture, Power and Democracy

Using the idea of a collectivist, humanist culture of traditional African matriarchal heritage, Ifi Amadiume contrasts daughters of the Goddess to a corrupt and oppressive culture of imperialism that she argues is the heritage of contemporary elite-led women‘s organizations. She examines the activities of such organizations in Nigeria, making comparisons with those in Britain and South Africa as well as international movements; looking at the 1995 Beijing International Women‘s Conferences, she explores internationalism as an instrument of class reproduction. The author provides a detailed account of the structures and workings of local government in Nigeria and Britain as she raises theoretical and policy issues about civic groups, civil society and the nature of the late twentieth century state. Finally, Professor Amadiume draws lessons from her own experiences working in local government to suggest measures for true gender equity and the democratisation of politics in our increasingly multicultural and multiethnic societies. This book asks some hard questions of contemporary feminist movements and provides the most detailed account available of Nigerian women‘s politics.

Using the idea of a collectivist, humanist culture of traditional African matriarchal heritage, Ifi Amadiume contrasts daughters of the Goddess to a corrupt and oppressive culture of imperialism that she argues is the heritage of contemporary elite-led women‘s organizations. She examines the activities of such organizations in Nigeria, making comparisons with those in Britain and South Africa as well as international movements; looking at the 1995 Beijing International Women‘s Conferences, she explores internationalism as an instrument of class reproduction. The author provides a detailed account of the structures and workings of local government in Nigeria and Britain as she raises theoretical and policy issues about civic groups, civil society and the nature of the late twentieth century state. Finally, Professor Amadiume draws lessons from her own experiences working in local government to suggest measures for true gender equity and the democratisation of politics in our increasingly multicultural and multiethnic societies. This book asks some hard questions of contemporary feminist movements and provides the most detailed account available of Nigerian women‘s politics.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Amadiume, Ifi. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Amadiume, Ifi

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Amadiume, Ifi. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Male Daughters, Female Husbands: Gender and Sex in an African Society (Critique Influence Change)

Male Daughters, Female Husbands: Gender and Sex in an African Society

Afrikan Matriarchal Foundations: The Igbo Case

Circles of Love: Poems

Male Daughters, Female Husbands: Gender and Sex in an African Society (Critique Influence Change)

Re-Inventing Africa: Matriarchy, Religion and Culture

Re-Inventing Africa: Matriarchy, Religion and Culture

Daughters of the Goddess, Daughters of Imperialism: African Women, Culture, Power and Democracy

Daughters of the Goddess, Daughters of Imperialism: African Women, Culture, Power and Democracy