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Money and respect: the changing value of old age in rural Ghana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2011

Sjaak van der Geest
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Résumé

Cet article décrit la situation des personnes âgées du point de vuede l'argent, et examine la signification de l'argent du point de vue des personnes âgées. Des études anthropologiques ont été réalisées en 1994, 1995 et 1996 dans une communauté Kwahu rurale située dans la partie sud du Ghana. Ces études ont pris principalement la forme de longues conversations avec des personnes âgées et leurs familles. L'argent est un symbole fondamental de la vie quotidienne, étalon de mesure dela valeur des relations entre les individus. Il ne permet pas de tenir les personnes à distance, mais plutôt d'établir et d'entretenir des lienssociaux, et de garantir la prise en charge des personnes âgées. Le fait deposséder de l'argent suscite le respect, car c'est le signe d'unevie réussie, tandis que le manque d'argent traduit l'échec et la honte. Le don d'argent est une marque de respect, d'affection et d'attention à l'égard des personnes âgées.

Type
Groups within groups in Ghana
Information
Africa , Volume 67 , Issue 4 , October 1997 , pp. 534 - 559
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1997

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