CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
1.1. Introduction
Over the years, historical discourse and historical studies in Africa and elsewhere have dwelt largely on the exploits done by men in history and development. Historical discourse and writings therefore have been gender blind and gender insensitive. Thus, historical events were narrated portraying women not only as victims but in most cases as non-existent1. Only recently have historians made concerted attempts to correct the biases, prejudices and distortion of African history as a result of the exclusion of women from the historical process by scholars. Consequently, enormous energy and resources have been invested by African scholars to reconstruct African history thereby giving Africa its pride of place in world history. In spite of this, there have been arguments that there is no need for a gendered history. 2 According to this school of thought, historical actors were presented in non-gendered terms which include men and women. Others have questioned the usefulness of gender as a category in historical analysis.3
Nevertheless, from the1970‟s the study of African women in history has received historical interest. This has been fostered by the international women movements and the general developments in African history since the Second World War (WW II). The problem of African development led to studies of women in the society, economy and politics to achieve equitable and sustainable development and change. The aim was to show that African women contributed to society and development in order to
1 B. I. Eno, “Feminism, Gender Studies and Historical Interpretation” in Women and Power in Africa in the 20th and 21th Centuries, Fragrance Publishers, Lagos, 2009, p. 18. 2Ibid. 3See S. Joan, “Gender: A Useful Category of Historical Analysis” in, American Historical Review, 91, No. 5, 1985.
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counterearlier assumptions of African women as passive, docile and dependent. 4 In Nigeria, like elsewhere in Africa there was a search for great women whose histories could be approximated to that of great men of history.These were histories of outstanding women such as Iyalode Efunsetan Aniwara, Fumilayo Ransom Kuti, and Margaret Ekpo, among others. However, this approach had its disadvantages asit sidelined and ignored the lives of the majority of women who were the masses in historical writings. The need to include such women resulted in the proper understanding of the role of women in the pre-colonial and colonial African societies as well as their role in the fight against colonialism. The colonial period saw a comparative decline of the fortunes of African women especially in South Eastern Nigeria which eroded the complementary dual-sex political and economic system that was practiced in the pre-colonial period that empowered women and accorded them higher status in the society. The colonial period saw the loss of autonomy and control over agricultural production and trade resulting in the masculinization of commerce and the economy. Even though colonialism eroded the already existing economic independence of women as witnessed during the pre-colonial period, women did not sit to bemoan their loses, rather, they took the bull by the horn fighting gallantly as Amazons to sustain their families and by extension the colonial economy.
1.2. Statement of the Research Problem
During the period under study (1912 – 1960) the economic, political and social institutions of the people of Nsukka Division were affected drastically. The principal factor affecting the development of the economy under British rule was the imposition of the colonial economy. The economy underwent dramatic changes in several respects including the role of women, with far reaching consequences. The colonial state was characterised by high level of changes in economic roles which affected the traditional division of labour. This study is an attempt to analyse the role of women under these changes.
1.3. Objectives of the Study
The objective of this study is to historicise the role of women in the colonial economy of Nsukka. The study set out to contribute to the existing body of literature on the role of women in the colonial economy. The objective of this study is informed by the fact that women studies in the historiography of Africa and Nigerian history is a neglected area. The work took a look at lessons to be learned from the past, which could be useful in shaping attitudes, practices and policies to help in achieving equitable development and harmony between the genders and by extension the society. The study is expected to serve as a source material for the teaching of gender studies and other related courses and will also provide research materials to students of gender studies. The work will serve as a document which will help us to further understand and appreciate the role that women played in the colonial economy.