AbstractsAnthropology

This study is an investigation into the lives of married women (Olóbìnrin-Ilé) in Ọ̀yán Town, Osun State, Nigeria. As in other parts of Yorùbáland, the women married into a particular compound or family by the sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, uncles and nephews of the same lineage, are considered an important corporate group. The thesis focuses on the double belonging of women both as daughters of their natal compound and as wives of their marital compound and explores the institution of the compound wives (Olóbìnrin-Ilé), wives of the compound who are women of diverse origin and whose admission into the group is strictly by marriage. The data for this study was collected through participant observation as well as through focus group discussions and individual interviews with married women from nine compounds in Ọ̀yán, most of whom were active participants of the Olóbìnrin-Ilé. Data was analyzed using interpretive analysis, focusing on the way in which the women represent and support the husband's compound in their outings and how they are compensated for it.