The Phenomenon of Male and Female Crops in Igbo Agrarian Culture: Implications for Gender Equality

Abstract

The present paper is an investigation of the phenomenon of gendering crops in traditional Igbo-African agrarian culture in order to determine the extent it promotes gender equality. The approach is both phenomenological and analytical. The philosophical tool of hermeneutics is equally employed in interpreting the cultural symbols in the study. The focus is on the staple crops, their cosmogonic myth, and the religious feasts associated with the crops: yam and New Yam Festival, for male crops and, cocoyam/Pumpkin with their attendant feasts for female crops. The paper x-rays the intersection between this gendered agrarian praxis imbued with onto-anthropological elements and gender equality in Igbo society. It is discovered that the phenomenon of male and female crops creates equal and enabling space for complementarity and participation of both sexes not only in the agro-economic but also in the socio-political and religious arena. The paper, therefore, submits that the phenomenon of gendering crops enhances gender equality.