Money-Go-Rounds: The Importance of ROSCAs for Women

Description

On most continents - from the USA to Africa and Asia - various forms of rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) serve men and women of the community, often as their major -- and sometimes their only -- savings institution. ROSCAs are self-help money-pooling associations with participants who agree to make regular contributions to a fund which is given, in whole or in part, to each contributor in rotation. Many ROSCAs have elaborate systems to cope with inflation, default and the distribution of benefits. In providing important social and welfare resources they constitute valuable social capital. This unique volume of case studies by an international group of experts, which examines ROSCAs on a worldwide basis, will be of interest to anyone studying or concerned with anthropology, economics, women's issues, and especially the welfare of the less developed countries and immigrant communities in 'the West'.

Mrs Shirley Ardener Centre for Cross-Cultural Research on Women,University of Oxford Sandra Burman Senior Member of the Centre for Cross-Cultural Research on Women, University of Oxford and Director of the Socio-legal Unit, University of Cape Town

This is an eloquent and profound volume of essays that evinces both scholarship and discernment, which enhance our understanding of ROSCAs as well as the significance of women in financial decision making in the family. C. Michael Henry, Yale University 'The book was like a breath of fresh air because it is all about keeping the art and science of lending money very simple ... not only relevant reading for the general public and those who are involved in banking, but for high flyers who have lost or are losing money in the rarefied atmosphere of derivatives, it is definitely a reality check.' Journal of African Economies ' ... this volume represents an important stage in the development and application of methodology and the production of usable material in this field of study.' Professor Buddhadasa Hewavitharana University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 'The essays, herein, originate from papers presented ast a workshop convened at Oxford University. By and large, they are by social anthropologists and based on Ardener's seminal work, a tour de force, rich in detail and insight.' Development Politics "It will serve as excellent reading for those studying economics and anthropology. This volume will also be a valuable source of reference for future research." Science, Technology Development 'The contributors ... demonstrate an unusually wide range of methodologies, stretching from quantitative economistic analyses to a unique postmodern treatment, that will be very useful for those planning research to survey. [...] The editors should be commended for assembling such an impressive range and standard of particpants for the workshop from which the papers are primarily drawn. One hopes that their publication will not only set a high standard for future research but also encourage more serious and comprehensive focus on these groups as a global phenomenon.' American Ethnologist