The Traffic in Husbands: the Role of Women’s Networks in (Malagasy) Marriage Migration

Over the past several years the phenomenon of mediated, transnational marriages –in which women were once colloquially referred to as "mail order brides"– has become an increasingly visible and contested phenomenon, one that has also come to be seen, by many in Africa, as a potential path to transnational migration. Drawing on extensive research in Madagascar and in France, this paper examines the social practices that Malagasy women use to find French husbands and migrate. In contrast to much recent research that emphasize the importance of internet dating sites, this paper foregrounds the central role of women’s networks in shaping both how women find French husbands and ultimately, if they are successful, leave Madagascar. With a nod to Gayle Rubin’s famous piece "The Traffic in Women", the paper develops the alternative analytic of the traffic in husbands.

Discutant: Sébastien Chauvin (CEG)