Sometimes, the “king” is a “woman.” Also, what exactly is a “single mother”? When you really think about it, does that phrase even make sense?
One of the most healing things I’ve ever learned, from Yoruba sociologist Oyeronke Oyewumi (pictured below) is that the term “single mother” is nonsense, because the mother’s role in matrifocal Africa is defined by the existence of her child, not through the presence of her sex partner. I wish I knew that when I grew up with my own mother, who raised me with the help of family and the grace of God.
Another thing I’ve learned is that with the cultures I profiled, frequently, “the king was a woman.” In other words, hierarchy, not gender, denoted rank. And gender itself? It defined reproductive roles, but little else.
In the slideshow above, you see Oyewumi, a dyad from the #APerfectPower show (which was possibly made by an artist named Kaseya Tambwe Makumbi) and some of my thoughts in between about the show itself.
I hope that I will continue to learn about the people, gods, and countries that I briefly discuss in this review. Thanks to Rebekah Kirkman and Cara Ober for editing.
One of the most healing things I’ve ever learned, from Yoruba sociologist Oyeronke Oyewumi (pictured below) is that the term “single mother” is nonsense, because the mother’s role in matrifocal Africa is defined by the existence of her child, not through the presence of her sex partner. I wish I knew that when I grew up with my own mother, who raised me with the help of family and the grace of God.
Another thing I’ve learned is that with the cultures I profiled, frequently, “the king was a woman.” In other words, hierarchy, not gender, denoted rank. And gender itself? It defined reproductive roles, but little else.
In the slideshow above, you see Oyewumi, a dyad from the #APerfectPower show (which was possibly made by an artist named Kaseya Tambwe Makumbi) and some of my thoughts in between about the show itself.
I hope that I will continue to learn about the people, gods, and countries that I briefly discuss in this review. Thanks to Rebekah Kirkman and Cara Ober for editing.
Photos from social media networks, publicly available on Instagram.com.
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