Abstract: African indigenous women have been instrumental in the growth and survival of local economies but underrated in scholarly discourses. In this regard this paper reviews the role of female labour in Artistry, agriculture, associations, investments, trade, education and skill jobs in the years 1922-1961, amidst patriarchal background status and colonial incursion. The paper argues that female labour was the most contributing factor to food production, household upkeep and the growth of the local economy of Mamfe during the period of British rule in the Southern Cameroons. It debunks the untested opinions of many Cameroonians that attributed the survival means of Mamfe women to solely prostitution- a perception that ignored the potentials of the women and the vital role of female labour. The data needed to sustain this argument was collected from primary sources- oral interviews with targeted eye witnesses, archival materials and theses and, secondary sources such as published books, journals and the internet. The historical mode has been used, largely qualitative analysis presented in a thematic and chronological manner. Findings reveal that during the years reviewed, Mamfe women were suppressed and engulfed in a patriarchy cultural background. Yet, they were the backbones of households; ensured food security and stirred the growth of the Mamfe economy. This, paper therefore draws the attention of Governments, Non-Governmental and International Organizations on the need for gender-based policies that could further enhance women’s participation in the development of rural economies in Africa including Cameroon- a prerequisite to food security and poverty alleviation.
Keywords: Appraising, Female Labour, Indigenous Economy, Mamfe, Cameroon.
Title: APPRAISING FEMALE LABOUR IN THE INDIGENOUS ECONOMY OF MAMFE - SOUTHWEST CAMEROON, 1922-1961
Author: Tabi James Ndip
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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