Hegemonic at home and subaltern abroad: Kamaiya masculinities and changing mobility in Nepal

Maycock, M. W. (2017) Hegemonic at home and subaltern abroad: Kamaiya masculinities and changing mobility in Nepal. Gender, Place and Culture, 24(6), pp. 812-822. (doi: 10.1080/0966369X.2015.1058761)

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Abstract

As former bonded labourers (or slaves), the Kamaiya of far-west Nepal have a history of marginalization, poverty and limited mobility due to the constraints inherent in the Kamaiya system of bonded labour (banned in 2000). Based on ethnographic research in the post-slavery era, this article examines how mobility is becoming an important part of Kamaiya masculinities. I consider in particular an account of migration acquired over a series of interviews with a Kamaiya man named Ram. Ram’s migrant trajectory from Nepal to India and back over variable lengths of time reflect a broader literature on circular migration in India. I argue that transnationally performed migrant masculinities are alternatively subordinated and hegemonic across geographically diverse contexts. By accepting and performing subordinated, often oppressive masculine roles in a broader South Asian context, men such as Ram are producing new, locally hegemonic or at least desirable masculine roles in Kamaiya villages in Nepal.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Masculinity; mobility; Nepal; bonded-labour; subaltern; hegemonic
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Maycock, Dr Matthew
Authors: Maycock, M. W.
Subjects:G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:Gender, Place and Culture
Journal Abbr.:GPC
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:0966-369X
ISSN (Online):1360-0524
Published Online:17 August 2015
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 Taylor and Francis
First Published:First published in Gender, Place and Culture 24(6):812-822
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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