Around 1890: Women among the Beni Amer had more rights than
their counterparts in the west
Ferdinando martini writes “that while women in the western countries
were calling for women emancipation, the Women of Wadi Barca were already emancipated.
Perhaps the laws practised there helped them. They impose their will when
needed. First of all, the Beni Amer women, irrespective of their social
position, they work and participate in paying taxes. While men of the nobility
(Nabtab) relax because they only look after their herds, the women toil but
they know what to get for exchange: the house and all belongings there belongs
to them. On the slightest humiliation for her husband, she can drive him out of
the house. He can be forced to leave the house at night and when it is stormy
and raining. He will not be able to return to the house until he asks for
forgiveness and brings a present to her, which could be a cow or half camel.
A woman can humiliate and mistreat her husband. But expressing her affection when her husband is alive or to show her sadness when he dies, can expose her to mockery. The husband can separate from his wife after
presenting valid reasons. In such a case, the woman dismantles the tent and
takes it and all the belongings there whether she is right or not. It is for
bidden for a husband to sleep outside the family tent, unless he is on travel;
though the wife has a right to sleep with her family and she can stay with them
for up to a year. If her husband needs her under such circumstances, he has to
go to her at her family’s place.”
........
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From Ferdinando Martini’s memories and impressions in his book, ‘Nell’Affrica Italiane’ 1890.
He was a member of the Italian Parliament who was sent to evaluate the viability of Eritrea, as a colony, Arabic translation p. 130
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