Yoruba Women, Work, and Social Change

by Marjorie K. McIntosh

Overview

The Yoruba, one of the largest and most historically important ethnic groups in Nigeria, are noted for the economic activity, confidence, and authority of their women. Yoruba Women, Work, and Social Change traces the history of women in Yorubaland from around 1820 to 1960 and Nigerian independence. Integrating fresh material from local court records and four decades of existing scholarship, Marjorie Keniston McIntosh shows how and why women's roles and status changed during the 19th century and the colonial era. McIntosh emphasizes connections between their duties within the household, their income-generating work, and their responsibilities in religious, cultural, social, and political contexts. She highlights the forms of patriarchy found within Yorubaland and explores the impact of Christianity, colonialism, and international capitalism. This keen and insightful work offers a unique view of Yoruba women's initiative, adaptability, and skill at working in groups.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253220547
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	03/18/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Marjorie Keniston McIntosh is Distinguished Professor of History Emerita at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her work on Africa includes Women, Work, and Domestic Virtue in Uganda, 1900–2003, written with Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo, which received the 2007 Aidoo-Snyder Prize awarded by the Women's Caucus of the African Studies Association. She is also author of Working Women in English Society, 1300–1620 and Controlling Misbehavior in England,1370–1600.

Table of Contents

Contents
Preface and Acknowledgments
Note on Language and Orthography
Abbreviations, Terms, and Explanations

Part 1. Introduction
1. Opening
2. Sources and Questions

Part 2. The Context of Women's Lives
3. Yorubaland, 1820–1893
4. Colonial Yorubaland, 1893–1960
5. Family and Marriage

Part 3. Women's Economic Activities
6. Labor, Property, and Agriculture
7. Income-Generating Activities in the Nineteenth Century
8. New Approaches to Familiar Roles during the Colonial Period
9. Western Skills and Service Careers

Part 4. Other Public Roles and Broader Issues
10. Religion, Cultural Forms, and Associations
11. Regents and Chiefs, Economic Organizations, and Politics
12. Patriarchy, Colonialism, and Women's Agency

Glossary of Yoruba Words
Notes
List of References
Index

What People are Saying About This

"Clearly written and cogently argued, this book is the first comprehensive survey of Yoruba women's lives from the precolonial period until independence. The period 1820-1960 was one of fundamental political, economic, and social change, during which the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria selectively adopted foreign ideas, customs, and technologies and adapted them to their own needs. Focusing on marriage, motherhood, economic and political activities, and religious roles, McIntosh (emer., Univ. of Colorado, Boulder) shows how Yoruba women resisted detrimental practices and took advantage of new openings in economic, educational, and legal realms. Her study is nuanced and textured, making distinctions between women of different regions and socioeconomic backgrounds, and between those practicing Islam, Christianity, and indigenous religions. Women's agency is a major focal point. McIntosh's wide-ranging sources include the writings of 19th-century travelers, missionaries, and Western-educated Yoruba elites, oral histories and interviews, local newspapers, photographs, and native court records. The latter are particularly revealing in terms of women's voices and perspectives. A major contribution to Nigerian and African women's history, this book should be included in all college and university libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. —Choice"

E. S. Schmidt

Clearly written and cogently argued, this book is the first comprehensive survey of Yoruba women's lives from the precolonial period until independence. The period 1820-1960 was one of fundamental political, economic, and social change, during which the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria selectively adopted foreign ideas, customs, and technologies and adapted them to their own needs. Focusing on marriage, motherhood, economic and political activities, and religious roles, McIntosh (emer., Univ. of Colorado, Boulder) shows how Yoruba women resisted detrimental practices and took advantage of new openings in economic, educational, and legal realms. Her study is nuanced and textured, making distinctions between women of different regions and socioeconomic backgrounds, and between those practicing Islam, Christianity, and indigenous religions. Women's agency is a major focal point. McIntosh's wide-ranging sources include the writings of 19th-century travelers, missionaries, and Western-educated Yoruba elites, oral histories and interviews, local newspapers, photographs, and native court records. The latter are particularly revealing in terms of women's voices and perspectives. A major contribution to Nigerian and African women's history, this book should be included in all college and university libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. —Choice

Universityof Alberta, Edmonton - Philomena Okek-Ihejirika

An important contribution to knowledge about women and the relations of gender in Yorubaland and other African societies.

Cornell University - Judith Byfield

Based on a careful reading of the existing scholarship on Yoruba women, this will be an important text for scholars in Yoruba studies, African studies, and especially women's and gender studies.

E. S. Schmidt]]>

Clearly written and cogently argued, this book is the first comprehensive survey of Yoruba women's lives from the precolonial period until independence. The period 1820-1960 was one of fundamental political, economic, and social change, during which the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria selectively adopted foreign ideas, customs, and technologies and adapted them to their own needs. Focusing on marriage, motherhood, economic and political activities, and religious roles, McIntosh (emer., Univ. of Colorado, Boulder) shows how Yoruba women resisted detrimental practices and took advantage of new openings in economic, educational, and legal realms. Her study is nuanced and textured, making distinctions between women of different regions and socioeconomic backgrounds, and between those practicing Islam, Christianity, and indigenous religions. Women's agency is a major focal point. McIntosh's wide-ranging sources include the writings of 19th-century travelers, missionaries, and Western-educated Yoruba elites, oral histories and interviews, local newspapers, photographs, and native court records. The latter are particularly revealing in terms of women's voices and perspectives. A major contribution to Nigerian and African women's history, this book should be included in all college and university libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. —Choice

University of Alberta, Edmonton - Philomena Okek-Ihejirika

An important contribution to knowledge about women and the relations of gender in Yorubaland and other African societies.

Editorial Reviews

"Clearly written and cogently argued, this book is the first comprehensive survey of Yoruba women's lives from the precolonial period until independence. The period 1820-1960 was one of fundamental political, economic, and social change, during which the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria selectively adopted foreign ideas, customs, and technologies and adapted them to their own needs. Focusing on marriage, motherhood, economic and political activities, and religious roles, McIntosh (emer., Univ. of Colorado, Boulder) shows how Yoruba women resisted detrimental practices and took advantage of new openings in economic, educational, and legal realms. Her study is nuanced and textured, making distinctions between women of different regions and socioeconomic backgrounds, and between those practicing Islam, Christianity, and indigenous religions. Women's agency is a major focal point. McIntosh's wide-ranging sources include the writings of 19th-century travelers, missionaries, and Western-educated Yoruba elites, oral histories and interviews, local newspapers, photographs, and native court records. The latter are particularly revealing in terms of women's voices and perspectives. A major contribution to Nigerian and African women's history, this book should be included in all college and university libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. —Choice"—E. S. Schmidt, Loyola University Maryland, September 2009

". . . well researched and based on a vast array of sources, such as missionary accounts, records of native courts, British colonial office documents, newspapers, diaries, letters, and financial accounts of Yoruba women as well as oral histories and interviews. The work is nicely written, clearly discussing the author's themes of gender and patriarchy, women and colonialism, and female agency in Yorubaland. It is a welcome addition to texts on gender history in Africa as well as West African history.April 2009"—Cyrelene Amoah, Southern Illinois University

"This book is recommended for courses in African women's history, African history, and Gender and Women's Studies courses. It is well-researched and documented and it covers a span of history that is invaluable to the broader understanding of Nigeria in general and the Yoruba in particular before, during, and after colonial rule. The book is well-written and organised and would interest readers who are new to African studies or African women's history."—Feminist Africa

"Yoruba Women is valuable as a reflection of the state of knowledge on the Yoruba and as the benchmark from which the future of Yoruba studies can proceed. It will be well referred to for a long time."—Journal of African History

"McIntosh's approach makes her book a valuable addition to introductory and survey courses of Africa. Volume 73/3, 2010"—Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies

"[T]his comprehensively researched and compellingly rendered study is sure to be valued by Africanists and will prove of considerable interest to non-Africanists concerned with its themes. June 2010"—American Historical Review

"Yoruba Women, Work, and Social Change provides an excellent overview of Yoruba history and culture as well as illuminating descriptions of the activities of Yoruba women . . . it is an essential place to start for anyone interested in the history and culture of Yoruba women in south-western Nigeria. Its descriptive nature, chronological organisation, and flowing prose make this work highly accessible . . . .Vol. 34.1 March 2010"—Ann Genova, Roanoke College

"[This] book provides highly interesting insights into Yoruba history and culture, including the effects of slave trade and colonialism, the arrival of Islam and Christianity, changes through the introduction of British legal system, and Western schooling. . . . a good read for anybody interested in African culture, history, or women's roles.#41 April 2009"—MISSIOLOGY: Intnl Review

"Clearly written and cogently argued, this book is the first comprehensive survey of Yoruba women's lives from the precolonial period until independence. . . . A major contribution to Nigerian and African women's history, this book should be included in all college and university libraries. . . . Highly recommended.September 2009"—Choice

"An important contribution to knowledge about women and the relations of gender in Yorubaland and other African societies."—Philomena Okek-Ihejirika, University of Alberta, Edmonton

"Based on a careful reading of the existing scholarship on Yoruba women, this will be an important text for scholars in Yoruba studies, African studies, and especially women's and gender studies."—Judith Byfield, Cornell University

From the Publisher

[T]his comprehensively researched and compellingly rendered study is sure to be valued by Africanists and will prove of considerable interest to non-Africanists concerned with its themes. June 2010

American Historical Review

This book is recommended for courses in African women's history, African history, and Gender and Women's Studies courses. It is well-researched and documented and it covers a span of history that is invaluable to the broader understanding of Nigeria in general and the Yoruba in particular before, during, and after colonial rule. The book is well-written and organised and would interest readers who are new to African studies or African women's history.

Feminist Africa

Yoruba Women, Work, and Social Change provides an excellent overview of Yoruba history and culture as well as illuminating descriptions of the activities of Yoruba women . . . it is an essential place to start for anyone interested in the history and culture of Yoruba women in south-western Nigeria. Its descriptive nature, chronological organisation, and flowing prose make this work highly accessible . . . .Vol. 34.1 March 2010

Roanoke College - Ann Genova

Yoruba Women is valuable as a reflection of the state of knowledge on the Yoruba and as the benchmark from which the future of Yoruba studies can proceed. It will be well referred to for a long time.

Journal of African History

McIntosh's approach makes her book a valuable addition to introductory and survey courses of Africa. Volume 73/3, 2010

Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies

Clearly written and cogently argued, this book is the first comprehensive survey of Yoruba women's lives from the precolonial period until independence. . . . A major contribution to Nigerian and African women's history, this book should be included in all college and university libraries. . . . Highly recommended.September 2009

Choice

[This] book provides highly interesting insights into Yoruba history and culture, including the effects of slave trade and colonialism, the arrival of Islam and Christianity, changes through the introduction of British legal system, and Western schooling. . . . a good read for anybody interested in African culture, history, or women's roles.#41 April 2009

MISSIOLOGY: Intnl Review

. . . well researched and based on a vast array of sources, such as missionary accounts, records of native courts, British colonial office documents, newspapers, diaries, letters, and financial accounts of Yoruba women as well as oral histories and interviews. The work is nicely written, clearly discussing the author's themes of gender and patriarchy, women and colonialism, and female agency in Yorubaland. It is a welcome addition to texts on gender history in Africa as well as West African history.April 2009

Southern Illinois University - Cyrelene Amoah

Clearly written and cogently argued, this book is the first comprehensive survey of Yoruba women's lives from the precolonial period until independence. The period 1820-1960 was one of fundamental political, economic, and social change, during which the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria selectively adopted foreign ideas, customs, and technologies and adapted them to their own needs. Focusing on marriage, motherhood, economic and political activities, and religious roles, McIntosh (emer., Univ. of Colorado, Boulder) shows how Yoruba women resisted detrimental practices and took advantage of new openings in economic, educational, and legal realms. Her study is nuanced and textured, making distinctions between women of different regions and socioeconomic backgrounds, and between those practicing Islam, Christianity, and indigenous religions. Women's agency is a major focal point. McIntosh's wide-ranging sources include the writings of 19th-century travelers, missionaries, and Western-educated Yoruba elites, oral histories and interviews, local newspapers, photographs, and native court records. The latter are particularly revealing in terms of women's voices and perspectives. A major contribution to Nigerian and African women's history, this book should be included in all college and university libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. —Choice

E. S. Schmidt

[This] book provides highly interesting insights into Yoruba history and culture, including the effects of slave trade and colonialism, the arrival of Islam and Christianity, changes through the introduction of British legal system, and Western schooling. . . . a good read for anybody interested in African culture, history, or women's roles.#41 April 2009

MISSIOLOGY: Intnl Review

"Based on a careful reading of the existing scholarship on Yoruba women, this will be an important text for scholars in Yoruba studies, African studies, and especially women's and gender studies." —Judith Byfield, Cornell University

Judith Byfield

"An important contribution to knowledge about women and the relations of gender in Yorubaland and other African societies." —Philomena Okek-Ihejirika, University of Alberta, Edmonton

Philomena Okek-Ihejirika

"Yoruba Women, Work, and Social Change provides an excellent overview of Yoruba history and culture as well as illuminating descriptions of the activities of Yoruba women... it is an essential place to start for anyone interested in the history and culture of Yoruba women in south-western Nigeria. Its descriptive nature, chronological organisation, and flowing prose make this work highly accessible...." —Ann Genova, Roanoke College, Itinerario, Vol. 34.1 March 2010

— Ann Genova, Roanoke College

Itinerario

"[This] book provides highly interesting insights into Yoruba history and culture, including the effects of slave trade and colonialism, the arrival of Islam and Christianity, changes through the introduction of British legal system, and Western schooling.... a good read for anybody interested in African culture, history, or women's roles." —MISSIOLOGY: Intnl Review, #41 April 2009

Missiology: International Review