Palm oil & power : women in an era of economic and social transition in 19th century Yorubaland (south-western Nigeria)
This study looks at the economic, political and social history of women in the Yoruba area of south-western Nigeria in the 19th century using contemporary sources which have remained previously largely untapped for historical studies of women. The century encompassed many key historical developments which affected women; in particular, the decline of the Atlantic slave trade and the growth of an export trade in locally produced palm oil and kernels. Whereas the slave trade had been dominated by men, the processing, transport and trade of palm produce was dominated by women. The extent, nature and effects of women's role in this and other industries such as pottery manufacture, dyeing and food vending, which also expanded and developed during this period, are examined. As demand for palm produce and other goods increased, the labour of both free-born and slave women became more valuable since it was vital for industry at all stages. The study looks at changing labour demands and sources and alterations in the established pattern of the sexual and generational division of labour. Important changes in gender relations are evident and the study illuminates how tensions between men and women and between women themselves
Shields, Francine
Women, Yoruba Social conditions ; Women, Yoruba History 19th century ; Palm oil industry Africa, West History 19th century
Palm oil & power : women in an era of economic and social transition in 19th century Yorubaland (south-western Nigeria). This study looks at the economic, political and social history of women in the Yoruba area of south-western Nigeria in the 19th century using contemporary sources which have remained previously largely untapped for historical studies of women. The century encompassed many key historical developments which affected women; in particular, the decline of the Atlantic slave trade and the growth of an export trade in locally produced palm oil and kernels. Whereas the slave trade had been dominated by men, the processing, transport and trade of palm produce was dominated by women. The extent, nature and effects of women's role in this and other industries such as pottery manufacture, dyeing and food vending, which also expanded and developed during this period, are examined. As demand for palm produce and other goods increased, the labour of both free-born and slave women became more valuable since it was vital for industry at all stages. The study looks at changing labour demands and sources and alterations in the established pattern of the sexual and generational division of labour. Important changes in gender relations are evident and the study illuminates how tensions between men and women and between women themselves
oil power woman era economic_social transition south_western nigeria study_look economic_political social_history woman yoruba area south_western nigeria use contemporary_source remain previously largely_untapped historical_study woman century encompass many key historical_development affected woman particular decline atlantic slave_trade growth export trade locally_produce oil kernel whereas slave_trade dominate men processing transport trade produce dominate woman extent_nature effect woman role industry pottery_manufacture food also expand developed period examine demand produce good increase labour free born slave woman become valuable since vital industry stage study_look change labour demand source alteration establish pattern sexual generational division_labour important change gender_relation evident study illuminates tension men_woman woman