Gender & Sexuality Studies 2026 (GSS 2026)

Abstract

This study explores gender expectations in pre-colonial African societies, focusing on their social and historical roots. Using Cacheu, a 17th-century West African territory deeply tied to the transatlantic slave trade, as a case study, it examines European travel accounts to understand how local customs, conflicts, and gender dynamics were represented. By critically analyzing these narratives, the research highlights how European views of “Otherness” shaped stereotypes while also uncovering the roles of African gender categories, particularly in textile production and trade.

Through an intersectional approach, the study looks at how stereotypes were constructed while also tracing possible gender roles in Cacheu. Special attention is given to weaving and the participation of both men and women in the textile trade. The research engages with existing literature on African gender studies, especially works by Black African women and queer scholars, to provide a more nuanced view. Its key contribution is showing how gender relations influenced broader social structures, while recognizing that Portuguese sources often imposed a rigid, binary understanding of gender that reflected European moral and cultural biases.

A central feature of this work is treating women as a broader category of analysis rather than focusing only on individual stories. While earlier studies often relied on biographies or case studies, this research aims to build a wider picture of gender relations by connecting them to the movement of people and ideas in Cacheu.

Grounded in African feminist scholarship, particularly from Black, African, and queer voices, the study places gender at the center of analysis. It moves beyond personal stories to show how gender shaped social, moral, and economic life in Cacheu. In doing so, it contributes to a fuller understanding of gender in West African history while challenging Eurocentric views preserved in colonial archives.

Biography

TBA