Gender antagonism and social change in a patriarchal community

This study is an analysis of social anthropology and provides information on interaction and conflict in African society. Its findings are based on material obtained through personal interviews and by detailed observation of the lives of women and their husbands. The author sets out the nature, method and aims of these social and anthropological investigations. He gives details of the inequalities, conflicts, hostilities and aggression, within the gender relationship, by means of which the male community seeks to extend its influence far beyond the domestic arena. Also underlined is the role of women as mothers in the maintenance of the family unit and the acceptance of domestic responsibility. The book also analyses in-depth treatment of socio-economic change, gender values and social norms as well as Iraqw patriarchal ideology, religious thoughts and cultural values within a changing context. Consideration is also given to Iraqw rituals, marriage and domestic mores. The author shows how all these aspects can be understood through a realisation of the struggle for power existing between the heads of the households and their dependants. The reader is thus given an overall picture of the changes taking place in modern Iraqw society and the effect these changes have on male-female relationships within and without the family circle. Also discussed is the question of family and interethnic conflict management. Contents: Historical background and social activities in relation to gender in Iraqw society – Iraqw neighbouring people, their characteristics and linguistic communication – Beginning of a new era, geography and demography – Colonial and state rangeland policy in Iraqw community – The past and current belief, social structure and organisation – Iraqw belief and supernatural universe – Authority, power and political organisation in Iraqw society – Social structure and group organisation – Rite of passage and gender antagonism – Marital system and social values – The past and current gender roles in social oganisation of production and reproduction – Forms of conflict and keys for understanding conflict occurrence in Iraqw society – The past and current conflicts and gender differences in Iraqw society – The past and current cross-cultural relations and inter-ethnic conflicts in Tanzania – Peace-making process and rite of reconciliation in Iraqw community.