Analysis Of Michael Madison Walker's Article: Negotiating Land And Authority In Central Mozambique

In most countries around the world, the access of goods and control of land is typically based upon one’s gender, race, class, and ethnicity. The relationship that people establish with those around them play a major role in the access to resources that may be needed. In Michael Madison Walker’s article, “Negotiating Land and Authority in Central Mozambique” he discusses how social ties amongst citizens’ and gender influence property rights. According to Walker’s article, “Social relations underpin property rights, signifying who can claim a right to what, and under what conditions” (Walker 312). In some cases, this could be unfair and in other cases, some would say it is a blessing. On the unfair side, a person may not deserve
In Walker’s article, he deliberates how both men and women differ when it comes to property in Mozambique. The article discusses how a woman, Mariana, and her husband were able to gain property rights and land because of her husband’s relationship with a person of authority. The article continues by telling how her husband died during an armed conflict. As the article states, “She was still cultivating land allocated to her husband… lived with one of her sons and his family” (Walker 314). Mozambique practices a patriarchal culture, which means women typically have to be under a male at all times, whether it be a husband or son. I respect the practices the of patriarchal cultures but I feel as though it is unfair. It is basically a practice that says a woman’s worth is based upon her husband or family, as if women don’t have their own identity. When two people are married, women are automatically tied to their husband because marriage is indeed a business. However, if the husband passes away, a woman should be able to care for herself. Women are independent beings and I don’t think men should determine their worth when it comes to property rights and everything else in this
Joel is also a widowed and lives with his son, just as Mariana’s story. He earns little money but unlike Mariana, Joel’s land and property is secure. In the article, Walker points out, “Joel’s land use rights are substantiated in two ways” (Walker 315). This means it is validated, endorsed, and confirmed. His land is supported because of his original allocation of the land through his relationship with a Portuguese settler, and because of his status. This is unfair in the comparison of gender, when it comes to land rights. Mariana shows faithfulness through her long standing residency in Mozambique; but because she is a female, her place is unsecure. All in all, land and property rights are ultimately determined by multiple aspects. Race, class, and ethnicity play a minor role in the access to land and property; however, gender is the ultimate aspect that determines a person’s ability to retrieve land and rights. Relationships amongst people are important as well for the males’ part in the sense of gaining land. It is unfortunate that women have such little say-so in the access to properties, so it is important that women establish good relationships as well with her male kin in order to be secure and