Food Production Mechanisms and Gender Relations: Retracing Precolonial Maragoli, Western Kenya

Abstract

This article sets out to explore the manner in which gender relations and food production in pre-colonial Maragoli are inter-twinned. It is encased on the premise that the clearly defined gendered roles in food production assisted the pre-colonial Maragoli society (a prominent subgroup of the larger Luhya nation of Kenya) to meet her food demands. In its methodology and research design, the article utilises both the primary and secondary sources, within a historical-analytical research design. Regarding its findings, the article asserts that the pre-colonial Maragoli society had an established food production mechanism with a balanced gender contribution of both men and women. This ensured that the society produced adequate food for all. The article thus concludes that gender and food production are inseparable hence the failure to give gender-relations a fair attention in food production jeopardizes food security.