Changes in Roles of African Women Triggered by Colonial Rule - Essay Example

 Changes in Roles of African Women Triggered by Colonial Rule Introduction: Colonialism is rather a simple topic, but its adversity has ruled the history books. Colonialism is defined as the expansion of a country’s lands outside of its own borders. The new lands that are made by the parent countries are referred to as colonies. It can also be said that colonialism is a structure by which a stronger country governs a weaker country’s economy, politics, and culture (Kozlowski and Weber. 2010, pg. 1). Colonization triggered the roles of women in the society. This act put women forward as being substandard and below men. Colonization specifically exploited the female gender and created an unwanted condition for them. This injustice with women remains in Africa years after the abolition of colonialism (http://unanimalpolitico.blogspot.com). Studies from the colonial period show that with the initiation of colonial rule women lost their political say and economic stability. The women were left to be laborers and the men benefited from this. During the colonial period, some women moved to urban areas to find a prosperous life but the majority stayed in rural areas. The major drawback for women was the unacceptance from the colonial agents the men (Sheldon, 2013). Taking over land: The British initiated direct rule in the African countries of Kenya and Zimbabwe. By this structure of direct rule, it was confirmed that there would be increased interactions between colonized communities and colonizers. The period of colonization initiated discomfort and trust issues between the British and Agikuyu(Finke, par 2). Even though the regions of Kenya were unknown to the British, they immediately chose regions of Kenya that had contents of resources that were of great value to the economy. By this, the British ensured that there would be less cost in running administrative affairs of a colony. The Agikuyutribe was spread in central Kenya, and the area was densely fertile. The new colonists took benefit of the fertile land by farming on a large basis. They farmed extensively because there were scarce resources (Finke, par 7). Due to this act of the colonists, the Agikuyu had to leave some of their lands. The domestic and other roles of women such as cooking, bearing children, mat weaving, transportation of goods and going to the marketplace had changed due to the effect of the colonists. The locals had lost their lands due to compulsion from the colonists. These events changed the perspective of the women in several ways (Turner, par. 16). Introduction of Christianity: The first and foremost that the colonists brought about in women were change in beliefs. The locals had believed in traditional beliefs but as per changer, they converted to Christianity. This change of faith was spread through the colonies (Afrikan Eye, par. 8). Another change in the Kikuyu women was a change of roles. The women previously were labors but after the colonial rule they lost control of their products and were paid for their work. Precolonial times saw men clearing lands for their wives to cultivate later. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, the roles were automatic and shared. Cultivating and duties of harvesting were supposed to be carried out by the wives, but if the man was ill his other wives could aid (par 4). The incurrence of Christianity abolished the trend of multiple marriages. This rule eradicated the concept of multiple wives aiding each other when one fell sick. The members of the church that worshipped with the affected women became her beneficiaries. The Kikuyu women were also changing from barter system to monetary system. By this change, they were now paid for their work. This monetary structure could only be achieved in British plantations hence the women had to change. FAO noted: The first "cut taxes" (East Africa Hut Tax Ordinance 1903) and the later Poll Tax (Native Hut and Poll Tax Ordinance 1910) were partly intended to coerce Africans, who would not otherwise have sought wage employment, into finding jobs in plantation agriculture or in urban areas in order to be able to pay their taxes (par. 5). The essential part of the locals agreeing to paid labor was the initiation of taxes. These were remitted by everyone. This rule made it compulsory for every person to work as a labor for their colonial rulers. The Kikuyu men lost control over their wives and the colonial rulers were gaining this privilege. At this point, the women realized that their men were also subjected to answer to higher officials. This made the women think about equal treatment. According to a Kikuyu novelist and expert in Kikuyu history and traditions NgugiwaThiong’o (p. 41), the women developed an aggressive attitude that referred to lowering men’s authority. An example of this was when the women forced into the church when men did not want to convert. The accuracy of the information that Ngugi relays is proven through the numerous publications he authored, most of which dwell on cultural aspects of the tribe to which he belongs (he is Kikuyu). Kenyan Overtake: The British copied what they had done in Zimbabwe in Kenya. They took the fertile land along which the River Zambezi flowed. Because the lands that the British occupied were extensive and there was a cost on bringing machinery, they made plans to employ men and women. Men left their jobs as farmers and blacksmiths. When men and women were employed by the British, this created a sense of equality among them. Similar to the Kikuyu women, the Zimbabwean women also began to ask for more. By this, they became independent and had money to pay the taxes like the men (Wojcicki et al, 7). Women Empowerment: The occurrence of urban city centers like Nairobi attracted men from n neighboring lands that were looking for money and jobs. The Mau Mau formed in the 1950s were responsible for Kenyan independence. The Mau Mau was a local anti-colonialism group that tried struggle against the colonial rule with the help of weapons. The freedom movement conducted included fighters from the Kikuyu tribe. The involvement of men in the freedom fight led the women to take care of their families whenever their men were away fighting for freedom. This made the women bold and gave them financial independence. Many of the women became bread earners for their families as the men of many families were killed. In Harare, women underwent similar financial changes. However, the change was slower due to the fact that Zimbabwe got their independence much later than Kenya, and that the economic setup has been controlled by mining activities which almost entirely excludes women (Action for Southern Africa, par. 6). Monetary Policy: The start of monetary economy policies and the change from multiple marriages to single marriages highlighted the first change of the Kikuyu women. Also in the business world, women were starting small businesses which were less money giving. Small-scale businesses included small kiosks and shops for selling kales, tomatoes and onions to the increasing urban populations (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, par. 14). Various women started brewing beer leaving their old ways behind. The activeness of women in the economic front raised the influence of women. Zimbabwean women also have for long owned small businesses in the outskirts of large urban centers (Wojcicki, van der Straten, and Padian, 706). This shows that similar routes for entrance into the business world were availed by Kenyan and Zimbabwean women. Cultural Differences: The advent of colonialism also changed the cultural thoughts of the Kikuyu. For the first time, single women came forward. In precolonial time s these were not regarded but post-colonialism these women started to weave and gain respect. The women could also make arrangements to meet suitable men that they could marry. Giving women choice to choose their life partners was the abolition of an old tradition and put an end on forceful marriages. According to Wojcicki et al. (p. 4), the culture of young girls finding probable life partners for future marriage arrangements has since ceased to exist in Zimbabwe, acknowledging the fact that women in this country have also achieved their rights and have broken from the shackles of tradition. The locals living in the urban areas were the first to initiate this change as they were the ones in closest contact with the foreigners. Hence it can be said the colonizers helped the African women gain their independence. This was possible due to the interactions between the Africans and the foreigners. Introduction of Education: Lastly, we will discuss the introduction of education. Till the colonization, the local women Kikuyuland (the Central Highlands which form the main geographical location within which the Kikuyu live) relied on an informal skill that was developed by continuously watching their adults perform their duties such as cooking and washing. These skills were directed to aid the young woman grows into a good future wife (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, par. 11). The start of formal education made the women competing for jobs and also with the other women of the community. The men also faced competition from the women. Due to this a new class of the community formed that did not like the uneducated. For the first time in history, the women could use their education as their tool, and they could get a good respectable status. This educated class overpowered the less educated women and men. The Zimbabwean women too continued to prosper in academics and also in jumping the barriers of society (Action for Southern Africa, par 8). SUMMARY It is clear that colonialism helped the African women a lot. The colonial rule gave the women a respectable and good status. The colonial period produced advancements that made the women prosper and gave them a feeling of reliability. The post-colonial change has been slow and gradual. None the less this change has evolved the African women and their culture. The change has highlighted the women as not being simple and undignified, but it has portrayed the women as being dignified and respectable. The women in the pre-colonial rule and the women in the post-colonial rule are both different. The difference is due to the grasping of right opportunities b the women. Works Cited Kozlowski, Darrell J, and Jennifer L. Weber. Colonialism. New York: Chelsea House, 2010. Internet resource. “How Did Colonial Rule Restructure the Gender Relations of Colonised People?” 2012 retrieved from http://unanimalpolitico.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-did-colonial-rule-restructure.html Sheldon, Kathleen E. Women, and Colonialism. , 2013. Internet resource. Action for Southern Africa.30 Year on: What is Life Like for the Women of Zimbabwe? (2010). Web.http://www.actsa.org/newsroom/2010/05/30-years-of-independence-what-is-life-like-for-the-women-of-zimbabwe/. Afrikan Eye. The Effect of Colonialism on African Women. (2007). The Chaotic Soul Theme. Web.https://afrikaneye.wordpress.com/2007/03/08/the-effect-of-colonlialism-on-african-women/. Finke, Jens. Kikuyu – Colonial History: First Contacts with the Wazungu. (2003). Web.http://www.bluegecko.org/kenya/tribes/kikuyu/history2.htm. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.Chapter: The Changing Rural Capital and Labor Markets. (n.d.).http://www.fao.org/docrep/u8995e/u8995e05.htm. NgugiwaThiong’o. The River Between. (1965). Nairobi: Heinemann. Turner, Terisa. Mau Mau Women.(2000). Web.http://www.uoguelph.ca/~terisatu/MauMau/. Wojcicki, Janet M., Ariane van der Straten and Nancy Padian.Bridewealth and Sexual and Reproductive Practices among Women in Harare, Zimbabwe.AIDS Care. 22(6) (2010): 705-710. Read More