Book

Grains from grass: aging, gender, and famine in rural Africa

Cornell University PressIthaca, N.Y. • Published In 2005 • Pages:

By: Cliggett, Lisa.

Abstract
This book examines how food scarcity has differential impact on people by age and gender, with elderly widows suffering the most. Although the Tonga are a matrilineal society, production is in the hands of male household heads who control bridewealth (cattle), farming tools, family labor, the distribution of produce. Women are unable to mobilize family labor or accumulate wealth for old age security. They are dependent on the good graces of their married sons, invoking kin and moral obligations for their support, especially during times of food shortage.
Subjects
Internal migration
Gratification and control of hunger
Gift giving
Accumulation of wealth
Gender status
Etiquette
Household
Polygamy
Lineages
Disasters
Sorcery
Status and treatment of the aged
culture
Tonga
HRAF PubDate
2014
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Southern Africa
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard; 2012
Field Date
1994-1995
Coverage Date
1950-2004
Coverage Place
Lake Kariba basin, middle Zambezi river valley: eastern Southern province, Zambia; northern Matabeland North and Mashonaland West provinces, Zimbabwe
Notes
Lisa Cliggett
Includes bibliographical references (p. [175]-185) and index)
LCCN
2005016052
LCSH
Tonga (Zambezi people)--Zambia--Gwembe District--Social conditions
Tonga (Zambezi people)--Social networks--ambia--Gwembe District
Rural elderly--Zambia--Gwembe District
Sex role--Zambia--Gwembe District
Food supply--Zambia--Gwembe District
Ethnology--Zambia--Gwembe District
Gwembe District (Zambia)--Rural conditions