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Forskningsartikel2017Vetenskapligt granskad

Uncovering human social networks in coping with Lake Chilwa recessions in Malawi

Nagoli, Joseph; Chiwona-Karltun, Linley

Sammanfattning

This paper provides an in-depth understanding of social dynamics in the form of kinship ties in matrilineal societies. It unpacks gender roles and relationships at the community level to understand how social structures, created by the pattern of relations, enhance or hinder coping initiatives during lake recessions in the Lake Chilwa socio-ecological system. Using qualitative and quantitative methods including in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and household questionnaires, this paper provides insights into how people in the Lake Chilwa social-ecological system prepare for and cope with Lake Chilwa water recessions by capitalising on their social networks. The findings have shown that during lake recessions poor households in the Lake Chilwa socio-ecological system are cushioned by fellow households through lineage networks. There is strong tradition secured through kinship ties where the generic term 'mwambo wathu' (our tradition) embraces a group of formative norms enforced via a series of rules and rituals. Based in a matrilineal system, women have strong rights over land allocation and use in which the female sorority group 'mbumba' is very stable. There is a great deal of reciprocity and food redistribution among the households. This self-organization provides deeper meaning about how people assimilate the dynamics affecting their social and natural environments. Specifically the findings provide evidence on how households, communities and their livelihoods in Africa are reconstructed as natural resources fluctuate. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nyckelord

Coping; Lake Chilwa; Livelihoods; Networks; Socio-ecological system

Publicerad i

Journal of Environmental Management
2017, Volym: 192, sidor: 134-141
Utgivare: ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

      SLU författare

      • Globala målen

      Avskaffa hunger, uppnå tryggad livsmedelsförsörjning och förbättrad nutrition samt främja ett hållbart jordbruk
      Uppnå jämställdhet och alla kvinnors och flickors egenmakt

      UKÄ forskningsämne

      Kulturgeografi
      Övrig annan samhällsvetenskap
      Tvärvetenskapliga studier

      Publikationens identifierare

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.12.049

      Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/89905