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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Tenacious Women: Clinging to Banja Household Production in the Face of Changing Gender Relations in Malawi
Author:Davison, JeanISNI
Year:1993
Periodical:Journal of Southern African Studies
Volume:19
Issue:3
Period:September
Pages:405-421
Language:English
Geographic term:Malawi
Subjects:gender relations
women farmers
women's work
small farms
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Women's Issues
Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment
Labor and Employment
Urbanization and Migration
Cultural Roles
agriculture
migration
Sex Roles
Status of Women
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/2636909
Abstract:This article looks at major changes in household productive relations that have intensified women's agricultural workload while undermining their economic autonomy in matrilineal, peasant communities in southern Malawi (the lower Shire). The article first outlines a conceptual framework for analysing gender as it pertains to relations of production in the 'banja' (matrilineally based individual family) household. Then it takes up key historical factors that have resulted in an erosion of female economic power. Next, it examines the preference given by women, historically and currently, to individual family production over collaborative production in agriculture, paying special attention to women farmers in Zomba district (smallholder production, labour allocation in maize production, women's use of hired labour). The conclusion is that the 'banja' system provides women with a sense of relative autonomy in the matrilineal context, at least for those women with enough land to be self-supporting. Because they are relatively independent, women in southern Malawi think twice before participating in collaborative forms of production with other women with whom they may have conflicting claims to land or whose commodity crops may compete with theirs in the local market. Notes, ref., sum.
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