Engaging Modernity: Muslim Women and the Politics of Agency in Postcolonial Niger

by Ousseina D. Alidou

Engaging Modernity is Ousseina Alidou’s rich and compelling portrait of Muslim women in Niger as they confront the challenges and opportunities of the twentieth century. Contrary to Western stereotypes of passive subordination, these women are taking control of their own lives and resisting domination from indigenous traditions, westernization, and Islam alike.

Based on thorough scholarly research and extensive fieldwork—including a wealth of interviews—Alidou’s work offers insights into the meaning of modernity for Muslim women in Niger. Mixing biography with sociological data, social theory and linguistic analysis, this is a multilayered vision of political Islam, education, popular culture, and war and its aftermath. A gripping look at one of the Muslim world’s most powerful untold stories.

Runner-up for the Aidoo-Snyder Book Prize, Women’s Caucus of the African Studies Association

Genres: Africa

260 pages, Hardcover

First published October 11, 2005

Reviews

[AlixLogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was an excellent scholarly work on Nigerien women's autonomy and social presence as evaluated by language and occupation. The author is particularly interested in individual women speaking multiple languages and using this to empower themselves through literacy, often facilitated by teaching the Qur'an.