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The authentic voice of the tribal African woman has rarely been publicised. The picture given in these Ibibio autobiographies is strikingly different from the accepted image. This generation is the 'Iban Isong' - the Daughters of the Land - who have lived close to the soil under conditions little changed from those of their ancestors. But the hardship of subsistence farming has not coarsened them nor subdued their enterprise. The pressures of the polygamous household have only served to stimulate their generosity and tenderness. Tragedy has been their daily lot, but they emerge with dignity, charm and imagination. Their language is steeped in the proverbial wisdom of oral tradition, and has not yet been purged of poetic rhythms by foreign influence. The Introduction to these stories, first published in 1970, describes the historical and geographical background, and examines some of the theories which have grown up around these complex and fascinating people.
List of contents
Introduction. The Reluctant Sorceress. The Home Daughter. The Magic Water-Pot. A Reprieved Man's Daughter. A Chief's Widow. The Money-Doubler's Widow. A Village Schoolmistress. A Prosperous Wife. A Bitter Woman. The Barren Wife. The Widow Bound By Sorcery. A Deaconess. The Midwife's Tale. The Hunter's Wife. The Pawned Daughter. A Fortunate Woman. The Oldest Inhabitant. A Conservative. The Twin Who Survived. The Blind Man's Wife. A Happily-Married Woman. The Slave's Daughter. A Travelled Woman. The Witch's Great-Grand-Daughter. A Lady Member of Ekpo. A Nursing Sister.
About the author
Iris Andreski
