Mother is gold, father is glass : gender and colonialism in a Yoruba town

'Lorelle D. Semley explores the historical and political meanings of motherhood in West Africa and beyond, showing that the roles of women were far more complicated than previously thought. While in Kétou, Benin, Semley discovered that women were treasurers, advisors, ritual specialists, and colonial agents in addition to their more familiar roles as queens, wives, and sisters. These women with special influence made it difficult for the French and others to enforce an ideal of subordinate women. As she traces how women gained prominence, Semley makes clear why powerful mother figures still exist in the symbols and rituals of everyday practices'--Provided by publisher. Contents......Page 8 Preface: “You Must Be From Here”—An Intellectual and Personal Journey......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 14 Note on Orthography and Language......Page 18 Prologue: “Mother is gold, father is glass”......Page 22 1 Founding Fathers and Metaphorical Mothers......Page 34 2 How Kings Lost Their Mothers......Page 53 3 Giving Away Kétu’s Secret......Page 74 4 “Where women really matter”......Page 92 5 “Without family... there is no true colonization”......Page 112 6 “The Opening of the Eyes”......Page 136 7 Mothers and Fathers of an Atlantic World......Page 155 Epilogue: A Rebirth of “Public Mothers” and Kings......Page 174 Essay on Sources and Methodology......Page 188 Notes......Page 194 Bibliography......Page 222 Index......Page 242 Prologue. Mother Is Gold, Father Is Glass: Power And Vulnerability In Atlantic Africa -- Founding Fathers And Metaphorical Mothers: History, Myth, And The Making Of A Kingdom -- How Kings Lost Their Mothers: Politics Of The Atlantic Slave Trade -- Giving Away Kétu's Secret: Wives On The Eve Of War -- Where Women Really Matter: The Queens Of Kétu And The Challenge To French Imperialism -- Without Family-- There Is No True Colonization: Perspectives On Marriage -- The Opening Of The Eyes: The Politics Of Manhood On The Eve Of Independence -- Mothers And Fathers Of An Atlantic World -- Epilogue. A Rebirth Of Public Mothers And Kings. Lorelle D. Semley. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. 'Lorelle D. Semley explores the historical and political meanings of motherhood in West Africa and beyond, showing that the roles of women were far more complicated than previously thought. While in Kétou, Benin, Semley discovered that women were treasurers, advisors, ritual specialists, and colonial agents in addition to their more familiar roles as queens, wives, and sisters. These women with special influence made it difficult for the French and others to enforce an ideal of subordinate women. As she traces how women gained prominence, Semley makes clear why powerful mother figures still exist in the symbols and rituals of everyday practices'--Provided by publisher. "Lorene D. Semley explores the historical and political meanings of motherhood in West Africa and beyond, showing that the roles of women were far more complicated_ than previously thought. While in KTtu, BTnin, Semley discovered that women were treasurers, advisors, ritual specialists, and colonial agents in addition to their more familiar roles as queens, wives, and sisters. These women with special influence made it difficult for the French and others to enforce an ideal of subordinate women. As she traces how women gained prominence, Semley makes clear why powerful mother figures still exist in the symbols and rituals of everyday practices. "--Book jacket Annotation Lorelle D. Semley explores the historical and political meanings of motherhood in West Africa and beyond, showing that the roles of women were far more complicated than previously thought. While in Ktu, Bnin, Semley discovered that women were treasurers, advisors, ritual specialists, and colonial agents in addition to their more familiar roles as queens, wives, and sisters. These women with special influence made it difficult for the French and others to enforce an ideal of subordinate women. As she traces how women gained prominence, Semley makes clear why powerful mother figures still exist in the symbols and rituals of everyday practices