Sex, Fertility and Menstruation among the Beng of the Ivory Coast: A Symbolic Analysis

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Periodical article

Title:	Sex, Fertility and Menstruation among the Beng of the Ivory Coast: A Symbolic Analysis
Author:	Gottlieb, Alma
Year:	1982
Periodical:	Africa: Journal of the International African Institute
Volume:	52
Issue:	4
Pages:	34-47
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ivory Coast - Côte d'Ivoire
Subjects:	Beng women's work menstruation Health and Nutrition Women's Issues Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External links:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/1160093 https://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pao:&rft_dat=xri:pao:article:4011-1982-052-00-000026
Abstract:	In this article, the author relocates the topic of menstruation in a new framework, one not directly defined by gender at all, and not restricted to the view that menstrual pollution and menstrual blood are by definition viewed negatively. Specifically, she explores Beng notions of menstruation as they relate to wider notions of pollution and fertility. Rather than indicating the general pollution of women and, from that, women's lower status, the analysis demonstrates how menstrual pollution among the Beng forms part of another type of pollution - the spatio-symbolic pollution of human fertility when it is removed from its proper place - and how, rather than debasing women, menstruation serves to give added value to a major aspect of women's labor: that of cooking. Notes, ref., sum.