Quote by Ifi Amadiume: “The 'dual‑sex' system allowed women to hold positions of power.”

This quote refers to a unique societal structure where both men and women held parallel, yet distinct, political and social roles. It suggests that this system provided avenues for women to wield significant power and authority, challenging hierarchical gender norms and promoting a more balanced distribution of influence within the community.

A key concept from 'Male Daughters, Female Husbands,' the 'dual-sex' system was Amadiume's description of pre-colonial Igbo governance. This scholarship countered anthropological views that depicted all African societies as uniformly patriarchal, highlighting the complex and diverse gender structures that existed before colonial imposition.

Nigerian scholar, poet, and feminist anthropologist whose 1987 book Male Daughters, Female Husbands challenged Western feminist frameworks by documenting gender flexibility in Igbo society. She teaches at Dartmouth College and her work has been foundational in African feminist theory and the study of gender in pre-colonial African societies.