leith-ross

First Published in 1939 and reissued with a new preface in 1965, African Women presents a study of the Ibo women of Nigeria. The originality of the book lies in the fact that practically all the information is obtained from women and that throughout, customs, laws, circumstances and happenings are described from the women’s point of view.

Divided into four major parts, the book discusses important themes like the Aba riots; linguistic description of Owerri province; missions and native organizations; woman in Nneato; woman in Nguru; woman in transition in Owerri Town; sophisticated women in Port Harcourt; education and other western developments; and the future of Ibo women. This is an important historical reference work for scholars and researchers of African Studies, African women, and women’s studies.

Sylvia Leith-Ross was an English anthropologist and writer who worked primarily in Nigeria.