essay

Women of Burundi: a study of social values

women of tropical africa • London • 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.

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)