Abstract

This extraordinary book combines social history, anthropology, religion, politics, women's studies to chart a genealogy of class transformation in the 20th century. Using the idea of a collectivist, humanist culture of traditional African matriarchal heritage, Ifi Amadiume contrasts daughters of the Goddess to a corrupt and oppressive culture of imperialism that she argues is the heritage of contemporary elite-led women's organizations. She examines, analyzes and critiques histories, concerns and activities of such organizations in Nigeria, making comparisons with those in Britain and South Africa as well as international movements.