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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Of Mistresses and Concubines: Miscegenation and European 'Shame' in the Bechuanaland Protectorate, 1911-1950
Author:Mgadla, P.T.ISNI
Year:2004
Periodical:South African Historical Journal
Issue:51
Pages:47-66
Language:English
Geographic term:Botswana
Subjects:mixed marriage
sexuality
cohabitation
colonialism
History and Exploration
Women's Issues
Law, Human Rights and Violence
Ethnic and Race Relations
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Historical/Biographical
Law, Legal Issues, and Human Rights
Cultural Roles
External link:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02582470409464829
Abstract:Focusing on the period 1911-1950, this article argues that the inherently negative attitudes towards sexual relations across the colour line in southern Africa, and the Bechuanaland Protectorate (now Botswana) in particular, contributed to concubinage and miscegenation. It also contends that the legislation designed to curb sex between the members of the sparse population of Europeans and Africans and prevent miscegenation failed due to the complex nature of the issue. Furthermore, children of miscegenation rarely had the support of European parentage, resulting in poverty, social degradation and stigma. Finally, the article argues that African leadership was not hugely in favour of legislation against concubinage and its results, as the practice was not entirely new to the Tswana. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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