Forest livelihoods: beekeeping as men's work in western Tanzania

Fisher, E. (2000) Forest livelihoods: beekeeping as men's work in western Tanzania. In: Creighton, C. and Omari, C.K. (eds.) Gender, Family and Work in Tanzania. Ashgate, Aldershot, pp. 138-176.

Abstract/Summary

This chapter takes the example of local African beekeeping to explore how the forest can act as an important locus for men's work in Western Tanzania. Here we scrutinise how beekeeping enables its practitioners to situate themselves in the forest locality and observe how the social relationships, interactions and everyday practices entailed in living and working together are a means through which beekeepers generate a sense of belonging and identity. As part and parcel of this process, men transmit their skills to a new generation, thus reproducing themselves and their social environment.