Boy-wives and female-husbands : studies of African homosexualities / edited by Stephen O. Murray and Will Roscoe.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Murray, Stephen O.

Roscoe, Will.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Homosexuality--Africa--History.

Homosexuality.

Homosexuality--Africa--Public opinion.

Gay men--Africa--Identity.

Gay men.

Lesbians--Africa--Identity.

Lesbians.

Homosexuality in literature.

Homophobia in literature.

Homophobia in anthropology.

Public opinion--Africa.

Public opinion.

Identity (Philosophical concept).

History.

Africa.

Physical Description:

xxii, 358 pages : illustrations, maps ; 22 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : St. Martin's Press, 1998.

Summary:

Claims concerning the presence and status of homosexuality in historic African cultures have become central points of contention in debates among contemporary African Americans. Some of those involved in this debate have asserted that the original languages of Africa contained no words for gay or lesbian, concluding that homosexuality did not exist. As the first work on the subject, Boy-Wives and Female-Husbands answers an urgent need for a well-researched study of African sexuality. It offers perspectives from anthropology and history, along with extensive evidence from ethnographic and literary sources. The essays explore such topics as: woman-woman marriages, male homosexuality in contemporary West Africa, alternative gender identities among the Swahili, and the portrayal of homosexuality in modern African literature.

Bound to be an invaluable resource for discussions of traditional and contemporary African cultures, Boy- Wives and Female-Husbands is a book whose time has clearly come.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [325]-351) and index.

ISBN:

031221216X

OCLC:

39052346