Islam in Africa 
bibliographic database
| Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
 Book |
 Leiden University catalogue |
 WorldCat |
| Title: | The Heritage of Islam: Women, Religion, and Politics in West Africa |
| Authors: | Callaway, Barbara Creevey, Lucy |
| Year: | 1994 |
| Pages: | 221 |
| Language: | English |
| City of publisher: | Boulder, CO |
| Publisher: | Lynne Rienner |
| ISBN: | 1555872530; 1555874142 |
| Geographic terms: | Senegal Nigeria Northern Nigeria West Africa |
| Subjects: | Islam Islamization women gender politics Cultural Roles Labor and Employment economics Religion and Witchcraft Sex Roles Politics and Government |
| Abstract: | This book discusses the roots of the present situation of women in Senegal and northern Nigeria by looking at the history of the coming of Islam and its initial impact on pre-Islamic traditional society, specifically on the roles of women in each society. After examining the historical setting, the authors explore the current situation, first considering how Muslim women are socialized in the two countries and what expectations they develop about themselves and their place in society. Next they look at two common indexes of modernization that promote change in society - specifically, formal Western education and economic growth with resulting 'modernization' - and ask what role women play in these processes and with what results. Finally, the authors look at the political activities of women, including both their roles in influencing decisions and their access to direct political power. They focus on what women are doing to change their situation and how circumstances are changing to increase or decrease their power and authority at all levels of society. They demonstrate the ways in which Islam influences the lives of women in West Africa, at the same time acknowledging how that impact is itself shaped by other forces in society throughout the region. |
