Sexual Division of Labor in Candomblé:

Inequality and Voluntary Work

Abstract

Gender and work is an area of ​​study that has contributed to the understanding of the sexual division of labor in Brazil. The objective of the research was to verify whether women's activities in Candomblé are subject to analysis in terms of female work. Studies on Afro-Brazilian religions focus on women's belonging to the community from the perspective of leadership, hierarchical position, matrifocality and the valorization and revaluation of the great ialorixás. Few are the studies that present the cooks of terreiros. Qualitative research using the technique of interview and observation in the festivities in the terreiros of Recife and Olinda. Traditionally, terreiro cooks worked as maids in family homes. Today, they are looking for more qualified education and professional training. We can speak of a triple workday considering that they articulate housework, paid work and work in the yard. The latter is voluntary housework. Experienced as something different from the economic exploitation of paid domestic work and the imposition of household chores for the home.

Keywords: Sexual Division of Labor, Gender, Cook, Candomblé.