essay

Separation between trading and home for Asante women in Kumasi Central Market, Ghana

household economy : reconsidering the domestic mode of production • Boulder [Colo.] • Published In 1989 • Pages: 91-118

By: Clark, Gracia.

Abstract
In this article, Clark examines the organization of Asante women traders in the Central Market of Kumasi. Clark first looks at Asante households and discusses the various types of exchanges that occur between spouses, parents and children, siblings, and lineage members. Next she looks at the relationship between households and trading. She argues that trading is not a household enterprise. Women may recruit labor and capital from among kin, but they work independent of their spouses and do not pool their income. According to Clark, women traders ‘actively engage in multiplex exchanges and recognize mutual obligations with as many kin and friends as they can manage. (114)’ A trader's business is her network.
Subjects
Individual enterprise
Family
Kin relationships
Lineages
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
1978-1980
Coverage Date
1978-1980
Coverage Place
Ashanti; Kumasi, Ghana
Notes
Gracia Clark
Includes bibliographical references (p. 115-118)
LCCN
89035017
LCSH
Akan (African people)