The Dance of Politics: Gender, Performance, and Democratization in Malawi (African Soundscapes) - Hardcover

Gilman, Lisa

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 159213985X ISBN 13: 9781592139859

Publisher: Temple University Press, 2009

Synopsis

This work looks at how gender and class intersect in Malawi through women's roles as political praise performers. It examines the present-day situation, where issues of gender, economics and politics collide in surprising ways.

About this title

Book Description:

Election campaigns, political events, and national celebration days in Malawi usually feature groups of women who dance and perform songs of praise for politicians and political parties. These lively performances help to attract and energize throngs of prospective voters. However, as Lisa Gilman explains, “praise performing” is one of the only ways that women are allowed to participate in a male-dominated political system.

Although political performances by women are not unique to Malawi, the case in Malawi is complicated by the fact that until 1994 all Malawianwomen were required to perform on behalf of the long-reigning political party and its self-declared “President for Life,” Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda+. This is the first book to examine the present-day situation, where issues of gender, economics and politics collide in surprising ways. Along with its solid grounding in the relevant literature, The Dance of Politics draws strength from Gilman’s first-hand observations and her interviews with a range of participants in the political process, from dancers to politicians.

About the Author:

Lisa Gilman is Assistant Professor in the English Department and Folklore Program at the University of Oregon.

About this edition

• Publisher: Temple University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 159213985X
• ISBN 13: 9781592139859
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 268