Batuku dance and Creole language: Cape Verdean women respond to economic globalization

Cape Verde, an island country 450 kilometers off the coast of Senegal, West Africa has been swept into globalization just as every other nation in the twenty-first century. Through in-depth interviews, this research looks at what Cape Verdeans have to say about women's lives, their economic and personal difficulties, and the ways that women do not accept their fate but actively engage to challenge their surroundings.;Globalization has benefited the wealthy in Cape Verde while it has increased or at least helped to maintain difficulties for lower income people. The people in Cape Verde, however, do not think globalization is necessarily bad. They believe that a different type of globalized economy is possible where all classes can benefit. It is shown that globalization, as it currently exists, is a negative influence and women are especially badly affected. Job shortages causing a large migration of men leave women worse off economically as they become heads of households and primary income providers for themselves and their children. Women try to overcome their economic problems but do not express an understanding of the greater picture of why men leave the country.;Women have several mechanisms to cope with and resist their difficulties. One is through dancing and singing the batuku. The words hold deep meanings for women as they sing about problems with men, famine, drought, lack of jobs, and criticisms against the government. Women also cope by expressing proverbs and sayings in Creole. Similar to words from the batuku, women voice these sayings rather than speaking directly about a problem. They select proverbs to say what they can't say directly when talking about infidelity, low wages and lack of child support.;This research offers a reconceptualization of "resistance." It shows that women's experiences demand that we rethink the term resistance and it shows that we must broaden the term beyond a more common understanding of resistance through public and collective activities. This research provides insight into women's lives as well as explores how the changing world economy has shaped personal stories and how women are confronting these changes.