Iron, Gender, and Power: Rituals of Transformation in African Societies (African Systems of Thought)

"[Herbert] has constructed a model of power relationships structured upon gender and age, and derived from male transformative processes, and in so doing has written a notable, and most enjoyable, book." ۥAfrican History

"Herbert examines with great care and thoroughness the relationships between gender and power and the rationales that give them social form.... [Her] analytical ability is outstanding." ۥPatrick McNaughton

"This book is a well-written and essential study of the place of belief in African material culture." ۥInternational Journal of African Historical Studies

Herbert relates the beliefs and practices associated with iron working in African cultures to other transformative activitiesۥchiefly investiture, hunting, and pottery makingۥto propose a gender/age-based theory of power.