Book
Co-wives and calabashes
University of Michigan Press • Ann Arbor • Published In 1993 • Pages: xxxi, 224
By: Price, Sally.
Abstract
In this book, Price examines Saramakan gender relations and art forms. She describes the making, and designing of calabash utensils, clothing, and songs, mostly by women. She discusses how these art forms are interrelated, and their relationship to gender relations. Samarakan culture is marked by gift exchange between couples. Men who work on the coast, sometimes for years at a time, return with gifts for their wives, lovers, and other family members. Women reciprocate with carved calabash bowls and laddles, and embroidered capes. Women's work is more finely wrought than that of men's. According to Price this is because women have more time on their hands, and are more dependent on men: The Saramakans are polygamous and most men have wives whereas women at times are without husbands. Women's dependency on men, and the tensions within the polygamous household and patrilocal village are expressed in their songs and dance. Price discusses the changes in design elements over time, which she relates to changes in both imported materials and Saramakan social relations, particularly those with the outside world. She notes a standardization of art forms over time, with less tolerance for individual variation.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1999
- Region
- South America
- Sub Region
- Amazon and Orinoco
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1997
- Field Date
- 1966-1978
- Coverage Date
- 1870-1970
- Coverage Place
- Suriname
- Notes
- Sally Price. 2nd ed., with a preface by the author
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 213-218) and index
- LCCN
- 92043700
- LCSH
- Saramacca (Surinam people)