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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | 'Mulugulu Avakali': City Women in Nairobi |
Author: | Abwunza, Judith |
Year: | 1996 |
Periodical: | Journal of Contemporary African Studies |
Volume: | 14 |
Issue: | 1 |
Period: | January |
Pages: | 105-117 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Kenya |
Subjects: | Luyia urbanization self-help women Women's Issues Urbanization and Migration Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Economics and Trade Cultural Roles migration economics Sex Roles |
Abstract: | Although all people in Kenya are affected by and strive against poverty, nowhere is this more evident than among poor urban women in Nairobi. This paper examines the circular relationships maintained by Avalogoli women living in Nairobi. The ethnic subgroup of Avalogoli (who belong to the larger ethnic group of Luhya) call Maragoli in Western Province their 'home'. Since wage labour opportunities in Maragoli are severely limited, many Logoli people, including women, migrate to urban areas. Rural Avalogoli are heavily reliant on their urban relatives for financial assistance at home and support in the urban area while seeking wage labour positions. In turn, urban Avalogoli depend upon those at home to feed and educate their children who are frequently sent to the rural area. Neither rural nor urban Avalogoli are willing to ignore completely the reciprocal requirements of their corporate kin ties even in situations of extreme economic risk. But as the case studies included in this paper indicate, today's economic circumstances may finally fracture these reciprocal ties, something that will impact most on women and their children. The paper is based on research carried out in 1992 and 1994. Bibliogr., notes, ref. |