Colonialism and African Womanhood

Abstract

In indigenous African society, the concept of ‘woman’ or ‘womanhood’ signified: a high level of responsibility; an embodiment of social etiquette; and familial and community expectations of an adult female as a wife, mother, and responsible member of society. African womanhood embodied the versatility, independence, hard work, and resilience of adult females contributing to the socio-economic well-being of their households and communities. This chapter explores how European colonialism altered African womanhood by massively transforming African indigenous institutions, worldviews, and livelihoods. It argues that colonialism had an ambivalent impact on African womanhood by creating opportunities, challenges, and barriers that enhanced, diminished, or placed African women in ambiguous situations as they physically and culturally negotiated the migration from old ways of life to new ones, and as they carved out new spaces for themselves. It showcases women’s agency as they negotiated and challenged the normative gender relations; and their diverse experiences and heterogeneous modes of resistance, adjustment, and negotiation in defense of African womanhood, their households, and communities.