essay

Separateness of spouses: conjugal resources in an Ashanti town

female and male in west africa • London • Published In 1983 • Pages: 156-168

By: Abu, Katharine.

Abstract
In this article, Abu discusses marriage and residence patterns in an Ashanti town. Customary marriage is arranged by the matrilineage, which maintains a protective role over the wife. The wife continues to live with her matrilineage but provides meals for her husband, who occupies a separate residence. Cooking and sleeping arrangements rotate among wives in polygamous marriages. Men have little authority over their own children, who usually live with their mothers. ‘Lover’ or ‘free’ marriages are more commonly found in second marriages. Immigration has influenced joint co-residence patterns, although couples continue to earn separate incomes and keep separate budgets. In a new customary exchange the husband gives his wife ‘chop money’ to buy and cook food.
Subjects
Property in movables
Ingroup antagonisms
Residence
Household
Family relationships
Polygamy
culture
Akan
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard;1999
Field Date
Not Specified
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Ashanti; Koforiduana, Ghana
Notes
Katharine Abu
For bibliographical references see source 56: Anonymous
LCCN
82020767
LCSH
Akan (African people)