article

Marriage instability among the Kanuri of northern Nigeria

American anthropologist • 63 (6) • Published In 1961 • Pages: 1231-1249

By: Cohen, Ronald.

Abstract

In this article Cohen examines the reasons for high divorce rates among the Kanuri. For one, there are no moral sanctions against divorce. Islam does not proscribe against it and there are socially accepted roles for divorced women to hold. However, Islamic teachings and the patriarchal structure of Kanuri society do place women in a subordinate position to men, although not all men have the social and economic means to back up their superordinate position. According to Cohen, divorce is the result of women subverting the traditionally sanctioned role of male domination (see also Cohen 1971.)

HRAF PubDate

1998

Region

Africa

Sub Region

Western Africa

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 1996

Field Date

1/1955-8/1957

Coverage Date

1950s

Coverage Place

Borno State, Nigeria

Notes

Ronald Cohen

Includes bibliographical references (p. 1248-1249)

LCCN

17015424

LCSH

Kanuri (African people)