Barma Bridewealth: Socialization and the Reproduction of Labour in a Domestic African Economy

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Periodical article

Title:	Barma Bridewealth: Socialization and the Reproduction of Labour in a Domestic African Economy
Author:	Reyna, Stephan P.
Year:	1984
Periodical:	Africa: Journal of the International African Institute
Volume:	54
Issue:	4
Pages:	59-72
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Chad
Subjects:	Bagirmi bridewealth Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Women's Issues
External links:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/1160397 https://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pao:&rft_dat=xri:pao:article:4011-1984-054-00-000028
Abstract:	Symbolic and economic views dominate contemporary understanding of bridewealth. Different interpretations by Comaroff (1980), Meillassoux (1981), and Papp (1983) have each yielded valuable insights. This paper does not criticize existing approaches but suggests a novel one. It is argued that courtship procedures, of which the giving of bridewealth forms a part, may under certain conditions help to socialize younger men into their mature economic roles. Further, insofar as bridewealth performs these functions, it contributes to the reproduction of labour in these economies. The Barma (population estimated at 39,500 in 1976) reside in a 'Sahelo-sudanic' bioclimate zone near the Chari and Bahr Erguig rivers. They controlled the kingdom of Bagirmi, which was incorporated into French Equatorial Africa in 1912. Notes, ref., sum. in French p. 88, tab.