Universität zu Köln

Höller, Clara and Linstädter, Paula Rebecca (2025). Weaving baskets and thatching roofs: Fibrous plant products as an income source for women in the Namibian Zambezi region. Bachelor thesis, Universität zu Köln.

PDF CASC_Bd_20_2025_Hoeller_Linstaedter.pdf - Published Version Download (75MB)

Abstract

In the rural parts of the Namibian Zambezi Region, women are economically and socially disadvantaged. Because formal employment opportunities are scarce, women sustain their livelihoods by selling fibrous plant products such as thatch grasses, reeds, and palm baskets on the informal market. Previous studies have focused on the marketing of fibrous plant products, especially palm baskets, and on the crafting process itself. However, only little research has been carried out on the use and trade of thatch grasses and reeds as well as the financialsignificance of fibrous plant products for poverty alleviation among women living in the rural areas of the Zambezi Region. In our study we take a closer look at how women harvest, produce and sell fibrous plant products to assess whether the generated income has the potential to alleviate poverty. During our research, we conducted semi-structured interviews with female crafters, harvesters, as well as distributers. Additionally, the most used grass and reed species were identified and catego- rized according to their use. The results suggest that fibrous plants are a popular choice for income generation among women because they are widely available in the region and are better adapted to the local climate than crops, making them suitable as a financial drought coping strategy. The harvest, processing and selling of fibrous plant products is compatible with women’s traditional responsibilities such as household chores and childcare as the resources are found in close proximity to the women’s homes and products such as baskets or mats can be made and sold in the villages. With the income generated from selling fibrous plant products, women can support their livelihoods and even gain financial independence from men. When deciding how to spend this income, women largely prioritize their children, investing into school supplies, as well as in clothes and food for the whole family. We argue that this can help alleviate poverty among rural families.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor thesis)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Höller, Clara UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Linstädter, Paula Rebecca UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-785197
Series Name at the University of Cologne:	Culture and Environment in Africa Series
Date:	2025
Place of Publication:	Köln
ISSN:	2194-1556
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Fächergruppe 4: Außereuropäische Sprachen, Kulturen und Gesellschaften > Institut für Ethnologie
Subjects:	Customs, etiquette, folklore
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Southern Africa; Namibian Zambezi Region; gender; poverty alleviation; fibrous plant products; BA thesis English
Date of oral exam:	2025
Referee:	Name Academic Title Bollig, Michael Prof. Dr.
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/78519