Rethinking Africa: Indigenous Women Re-Interpret Southern African pasts

This book provides a critical exploration of the African past, challenging traditional narratives and highlighting the contributions of indigenous women. It offers a new perspective on the continent's history and culture, and is written by, with, and for indigenous southern African women from matricentric societies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 21 May 2021
Publisher: Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd

This groundbreaking book offers a transformative approach to de-colonial scholarship and the reclamation of indigenous self-definition by women scholars. Indigenous communities across the globe exhibit remarkable social egalitarianism, gender equality, matricentric structures, matrifocal practices, matrilineal heritage, reduced violence, non-heteronormative beliefs, ecological sensitivity, and the presence of feminine or two-gender deities or spirits. Bernedette Muthien, a prominent figure in the field, has made significant contributions to various publications, while June Bam has made indispensable contributions to reimagining and rewriting the African past more broadly. Within this book, indigenous women take center stage, crafting their own narratives, defining their contemporary cultural and socio-economic realities, and envisioning future possibilities grounded in their lived experiences. Each chapter in this herstorical anthology critically examines the established histories and theories that have shaped our understanding of the African past, challenges them, and presents fresh and diverse herstorical lenses, philosophies, epistemologies, methodologies, and interpretations. What sets this collection apart is its unique composition—written by, with, and for indigenous southern African women from matricentric societies. This groundbreaking endeavor marks a pioneering effort in Africa and the world, shedding light on the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities and contributing to a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of the African past.

Weight: 358g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781928232940