Mobile women, immobile men?

Gender and identification of women among the Maale of southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The Maale of southern Ethiopia are patrilineal and virilocal. Women move from one homestead to another, while men usually stay with their patrilineage from childhood until death. While it has been argued that the movement of women leads to a lack of continuity, resulting in a weakening of their identities, this article shows the advantages women gain by shifting residence. Instead of struggling to redefine their identities, women gain multiple identities, which they can utilise rationally.