essay

Women of Burundi: a study of social values

women of tropical africaLondon • Published In 1963 • Pages: 179-215 , 4 plates

By: Albert, Ethel M..

Abstract
Using as the central core of her study the Rundi ideals of the acquisition of political power and authority, wealth (in the form of cows, land, material goods, money, and the things it can purchase), respect and love from one's dependents, and elegance of appearance, manners and material possessions, the author attempts to show how a woman in Rundi society, despite her low social status, may achieve these goals through careful manipulation of her 'environment,' providing that she starts with a common denominator of relatively high caste position, intelligence and just plain luck. The author, a professional anthropologist, also presents a detailed study of the various social roles played in the society by a woman as mother, wife, co-wife (in a polygynous union), mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and unmarried girl. Caste differences in status are also clearly indicated here. The author did her field work for this study under a Fellowship grant from the Ford Foundation, African Program, between March 1956 and July 1957.
Subjects
Gender status
Castes
Ethics
Political intrigue
Poverty
Classes
Territorial hierarchy
Chief executive
Lineages
Regulation of marriage
Status, role, and prestige
Family relationships
Ingroup antagonisms
Polygamy
Eating
Division of labor by gender
Gift giving
Sanctions
Social relationships and groups
culture
Barundi
HRAF PubDate
2010
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Central Africa
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1965
Field Date
1956-1957
Coverage Date
1956-1963
Coverage Place
Burundi
Notes
Ethel M. Albert
Footnotes appearing in the text will be found in category 116, pp. 214-215. Data on the disciplining of inferiors by superiors has been placed in category 681.
LCCN
63024209
LCSH
Rundi (African people)