article
The significance of earth-eating: social and cultural aspects of geophagy among Luo children
Africa • 70 (4) • Published In 2000 • Pages: 653-682
By: Geissler, Wenzel.
Abstract
This article describes the social significance and meanings of attributed to earth-eating in Luo society, Kenya. In Luoland, according to the article, earth-eating is practised among children before puberty, irrespective of their sex, and among women of reproductive age, but not usually among adult men or old women. To eat earth, the author argues, signifies belonging to the female sphere within the household, which includes children up to adolescence. Through eating earth, or abandoning it, the children express their emerging gender identity.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2010
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Eastern Africa
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Anthropologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Teferi Abate Adem; 2009
- Field Date
- 1995-1998
- Coverage Date
- 1995-1998
- Coverage Place
- Luoland, Kenya
- Notes
- P. Wenzel Geissler
- Includes bibliographical references ( p. 678-681)
- LCCN
- 29010790
- LCSH
- Luo (Kenyan and Tanzanian people)