Does Sedentarization Promote Gender Inequality? A Case Study from the Kalahari

Sedentarization has been implicated in the reduction of gender equality in some spheres of formerly nomadicJu/thoansi (!Kung) and Nharo Basarwa (Bushmen) life. Concomitant with the shift to sedentism, both the Ju/hoansi and Nharo have undergone significant economic transformations, and these have been accompanied by changes in attitudes towards gender. Gender equality is examined among the Central Kalahari Basarwa who inhabit Kutse, a sedentary community in which economic change and the adoption of neighbouring people's attitudes have not been as widespread as elsewhere. Qualitative and quantitative studies show that gender egalitarianism is still quite strong at Kutse. It is suggested that not all foragers who become sedentary also become less egalitarian. Instead, the adoption of the economics and attitudes towards gender from non-foraging neighbours facilitates the emergence of gender inequality in those Basarwa societies formerly noted for their egalitarianism. Some current development programmes designed by Westerners exclude women and contribute to the increase in gender inequality which is emerging in these societies.