Intersecting and dynamic gender rights to néré, a food tree species in Burkina Faso. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pehou, Catherine; Djoudi, Houria; Vinceti, Barbara; Elias, Marlène
• Is Part Of: Journal of rural studies. Volume 76(2020)
• Page Start: 230
• Page End: 239
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Food trees -- Tree tenure -- Burkina Faso -- Parkia biglobosa (néré) -- Intersectionality; Sociology, Rural -- Periodicals; Country life -- Periodicals; Rural development -- Periodicals; Land use, Rural -- Planning -- Periodicals; Rural conditions -- Periodicals; Sociologie rurale -- Périodiques; Vie rurale -- Périodiques; Développement rural -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation agricole du -- Planification -- Périodiques; Conditions rurales -- Périodiques; Country life; Land use, Rural -- Planning; Rural conditions; Rural development; Sociology, Rural; Periodicals; 307.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.02.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0743-0167

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines women's bundles of rights to exploit the pods of a valuable food-tree species in Burkina Faso, Parkia biglobosa, locally known as néré. In West Africa, néré pods have traditionally been collected and processed by women and sold as soumbala, a highly-valued condiment. Given its value to local livelihoods, néré is a prized tree that is subject to a particular tenure regime. This study investigates the social factors that define women's harvesting rights to néré pods in the centre-west region of Burkina Faso through the lens of intersectionality. Whereas customary land tenure in Burkina Faso grants men primary ownership and use rights to land, different groups of women are entitled to harvest food-tree products such as néré pods, in defined spaces. This study shows how women, who are usually presented as a homogeneous group in terms of rights, are socially differentiated on the basis of several factors, such as residence status, ethnicity and seniority within their lineage. This differentiation shapes the nested bundles of rights held by different groups of women on different land types. Amid broad-ranging demographic, market, and environmental changes, rights to exploit néré pods are shifting and contested, and insecurity of rights challenges the sustainability and equitability of néré harvesting. Highlights: Complex spatial and social dynamics shape women's access to land and néré fruits. Such access rights depend on the intersection of gender, ethnicity and marital status. Women negotiate and develop coping strategies to address insecure access conditions. Oversimplified land policies fail to address complex, shifting tree tenure systems.