In honorary of Peter Geschiere,articulation of reproduction: Parents,daughters,and education in north Cameroonian society

Abstract

As Peter Geschiere focussed in his early work - based on Marxism - on the articulation of modes of production, in this essay I put reproduction central, emphasizing change in and attitude towards old and new forms of education in north Cameroonian society. I indicate that articulation of forms of reproduction, shows us that ‘modern/colonial’ education co-exists with former forms of education and how it interrupts the gain (and retain) or control elderly people may have over younger women in general, or on their autonomy. Does education - as a means of reproduction - lead to new forms of what could be called a class-society? Can such an approach make visible a possible subdominant position or a possible autonomy of women as active agents? Or even the intersection of gender, education, ethnicity and/or religion? this essay, based on three extended case-studies (fieldwork since 1986), I contribute to a study of ‘longue durée', which importance has always be underlined by Geschiere. It shows the complexity of the influence of new forms of education in this area throughout time.