Who controls Africa? Power structures in Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali

Description

Women form the backbone of sub-Saharan Africa and consistently exert some measure of control alongside men, whether it is as a local ruler, a witch, an activist, a wage earner, a laborer, or a caregiver. This program examines female, male, and mixed power structures, with a focus on the Bijagos Islands, where three queens and a king still rule autonomously even as the state government in Guinea-Bissau seeks to take control; Mali, where women ably run small businesses in a culture where both male-dominated democracy and male/female sorcery exist side by side; and Ghana, where all-male asafo companies-former military units that today are dedicated to social service-meet in rowing competitions for prestige and to honor their king.

Runtime

56 min

Series

Subjects

Geography

Genre

Date of Publication

[2008], c2004

Database

Films on Demand

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