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Reed, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
HIGHLANDERS. THE CAUCASUS & THE ALPS
Chapter V: Gender roles
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Qabala, Azerbaijan, 2016.
HIGHLANDERS. THE CAUCASUS & THE ALPS
Chapter V: Gender roles
……………………………………Gender roles in the Western and traditional cultures of the East (Muslim) differ significantly: and we observed this during the expeditions. However, thanks to the process of emancipation in Eastern society and the history of Switzerland, which was no less traditional than the Caucasus before the economic boom of the 1950s, we can still see certain similarities even today.
Gender roles in the Western and traditional cultures of the East (Muslim) differ significantly: and we observed this during the expeditions. However, thanks to the process of emancipation in Eastern society and the history of Switzerland, which was no less traditional than the Caucasus before the economic boom of the 1950s, we can still see certain similarities even today.
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
the Caucasus
Women in the Caucasus have always been involved in work and household, and they always had plenty of the latter. In the past, for instance, collecting water was considered a purely feminine duty. So, the spring became a place of communication for women. Women still often communicate at work and during trips to the market.
the Caucasus
Women in the Caucasus have always been involved in work and household, and they always had plenty of the latter. In the past, for instance, collecting water was considered a purely feminine duty. So, the spring became a place of communication for women. Women still often communicate at work and during trips to the market.
Duruja village, Azerbaijan, 2016.
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Akhty village, Dagestan, 2016.
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Mukhakh village, Azerbaijan, 2016.
THE ALPS
The whole family works at the grape harvest in the canton of Valais: parents, children, men and women. In the past, grapes brought a good income, but today it is more of a tribute to tradition, involving all able-bodied family members.
THE ALPS
The whole family works at the grape harvest in the canton of Valais: parents, children, men and women. In the past, grapes brought a good income, but today it is more of a tribute to tradition, involving all able-bodied family members.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Women got the right to vote in Switzerland only recently: nationwide this happened on February 7, 1971, and on the local level, it took until 1991 (for comparison: in the Russian Federation women got such a right in 1917 and in Azerbaijan in 1918). However, the path to full equality in the country was completed in a much shorter time.
Women got the right to vote in Switzerland only recently: nationwide this happened on February 7, 1971, and on the local level, it took until 1991 (for comparison: in the Russian Federation women got such a right in 1917 and in Azerbaijan in 1918). However, the path to full equality in the country was completed in a much shorter time.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Patricia remembers how her mother, having been given the right to participate in political life, asked her and her father for advice on whom to vote for, since she was not used to thinking about and taking an interest in politics. Gender equality has been enshrined in the constitution since 1981, but even now there is an ongoing struggle for equality: ladies have become well integrated in politics, which has brought many gender issues to the forefront.
Patricia
The Alps
Patricia
The Alps
Patricia remembers how her mother, having been given the right to participate in political life, asked her and her father for advice on whom to vote for, since she was not used to thinking about and taking an interest in politics. Gender equality has been enshrined in the constitution since 1981, but even now there is an ongoing struggle for equality: ladies have become well integrated in politics, which has brought many gender issues to the forefront.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
A few decades ago, Patricia's decision to become a nurse caused fierce protests from her mother, who believed that a woman's place was exclusively at home or in the vineyards. In 2020, Switzerland ranked first in the list of countries ensuring gender equality (according to the GII index, Gender Inequality Index).
A few decades ago, Patricia's decision to become a nurse caused fierce protests from her mother, who believed that a woman's place was exclusively at home or in the vineyards. In 2020, Switzerland ranked first in the list of countries ensuring gender equality (according to the GII index, Gender Inequality Index).
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
FASHION AND TRADITIONS
FASHION AND TRADITIONS
THE Caucasus
In Soviet times, women in the Caucasus began to wear shorter skirts on the wave of female emancipation, even in mountain villages. Since the 1990s, under the conditions of the Islamic renaissance, skirts began to lengthen again.
THE Caucasus
In Soviet times, women in the Caucasus began to wear shorter skirts on the wave of female emancipation, even in mountain villages. Since the 1990s, under the conditions of the Islamic renaissance, skirts began to lengthen again.
Gelmets village, Dagestan, 2016.
Gelmets village, Dagestan, 2016.
THE ALPS
The appearance of Swiss women living in the mountains is no different from that of city dwellers: good transport links, the availability of online shopping and the country's deep secularism have erased all differences. But almost every home is sure to have a national costume, which is taken out of the stash for the commune feast.
Russian girl Nastya, who lives in the canton of Valais, said that she also had such a tailor-made suit so that she could participate in the annual parade. In the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, shepherds and shepherdesses also wear traditional clothing when they bring the cows down from the mountains for the winter. This canton was the last in Switzerland to grant women the right to vote — in 1991.
THE ALPS
The appearance of Swiss women living in the mountains is no different from that of city dwellers: good transport links, the availability of online shopping and the country's deep secularism have erased all differences. But almost every home is sure to have a national costume, which is taken out of the stash for the commune feast.
Russian girl Nastya, who lives in the canton of Valais, said that she also had such a tailor-made suit so that she could participate in the annual parade. In the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, shepherds and shepherdesses also wear traditional clothing when they bring the cows down from the mountains for the winter. This canton was the last in Switzerland to grant women the right to vote — in 1991.
Appenzell, canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, 2021.
Appenzell, canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, 2021.
Leila
The Caucasus
Leila
Caucasus
Akhty village, Dagestan, 2016.
Today, women in the Caucasus are actively involved in the economy and work in the villages: they open grocery or clothing stores (the clothes is often brought from Baku), pastry stores and beauty salons. Leila opened her wedding salon. Akhtyn brides can buy dresses, tiaras and shoes there.
Akhty village, Dagestan, 2016.
Today, women in the Caucasus are actively involved in the economy and work in the villages: they open grocery or clothing stores (the clothes is often brought from Baku), pastry stores and beauty salons. Leila opened her wedding salon. Akhtyn brides can buy dresses, tiaras and shoes there.
Akhty village, Dagestan, 2016.
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Akhty village, Dagestan, 2016.
Ladina
Ladina has long been engaged in sewing men's shirts to individual standards. About a year ago she decided to create her own collection, inspired by baroque music. She is currently studying under a fashion designer in Zurich and working on a collection in her studio in the center of Chur in the canton of Grisons.
The Alps
Ladina
The Alps
Ladina has long been engaged in sewing men's shirts to individual standards. About a year ago she decided to create her own collection, inspired by baroque music. She is currently studying under a fashion designer in Zurich and working on a collection in her studio in the center of Chur in the canton of Grisons.
Chur, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
PLACES TO COMMUNICATE
PLACES TO COMMUNICATE
THE Caucasus
THE Caucasus
Gender differences persist in the Caucasus in the development of public spaces as well.
Gender differences persist in the Caucasus in the development of public spaces as well.
The meeting place of women in the Caucasian village, unlike that of men, is not clearly defined: it can be a bench nearby any house.
Khpyuk, Dagestan, 2016.
Khpyuk, Dagestan, 2016.
Khpyuk, Dagestan, 2016.
The meeting place of women in the Caucasian village, unlike that of men, is not clearly defined: it can be a bench nearby any house.
Khinalug, Azerbaijan, 2016.
The meeting place of the men, the “godekan”, is usually next to the mosque and does not change depending on the circumstances. There people can have serious conversations about the fate of the whole village or they can play dominoes and exchange news.
The meeting place of the men, the “godekan”, is usually next to the mosque and does not change depending on the circumstances. There people can have serious conversations about the fate of the whole village or they can play dominoes and exchange news.
HANDICRAFT AND FAMILY BUSINESS
HANDICRAFT AND FAMILY BUSINESS
THE ALPS
Often a small business in Switzerland is run by the whole family, especially if it is related to agriculture.
THE ALPS
Often a small business in Switzerland is run by the whole family, especially if it is related to agriculture.
Rafi
The Alps
Rafi keeps cows of the black Valesian meat breed The Herens and grows grapes. His wife works with him, but the children are not interested in continuing the family business.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Rafi keeps cows of the black Valesian meat breed The Herens and grows grapes. His wife works with him, but the children are not interested in continuing the family business.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Rafi
The Alps
THE CAUCASUS
In the Caucasus, needlework is traditionally a female occupation. Many women of rural mountainous Dagestan knit socks and house slippers at any free moment. They are worn at home, taken to the market for sale, but more often the villagers use the services of dealers traveling around the districts.
THE Caucasus
In the Caucasus, needlework is traditionally a female occupation. Many women of rural mountainous Dagestan knit socks and house slippers at any free moment. They are worn at home, taken to the market for sale, but more often the villagers use the services of dealers traveling around the districts.
Kurakh, Dagestan, 2016.
Marilyn
Marilyn quit her job at a big company seven years ago to make chocolate. She says that in this she felt the heritage of her father — he was a master confectioner. For her, this is a kind of continuation of the family business.
The Alps
Marilyn
The Alps
Marilyn quit her job at a big company seven years ago to make chocolate. She says that in this she felt the heritage of her father — he was a master confectioner. For her, this is a kind of continuation of the family business.
Reed, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
MALIK
The Caucasus
The Caucasus
Malik from the village of Mamedkala is a jeweler. Weddings are one of the most profitable orders for him, because the groom's side should give expensive jewelry to the bride and her relatives. New jewelry is usually made from old, no longer considered fashionable. Jewelers are regarded as experts and connoisseurs of folk art, so they often bring old Dagestani utensils. Malik thus made a whole collection, now there is a real museum in his house.
MALIK
The Caucasus
Malik from the village of Mamedkala is a jeweler. Weddings are one of the most profitable orders for him, because the groom's side should give expensive jewelry to the bride and her relatives. New jewelry is usually made from old, no longer considered fashionable. Jewelers are regarded as experts and connoisseurs of folk art, so they often bring old Dagestani utensils. Malik thus made a whole collection, now there is a real museum in his house.
Mamedkala village, Dagestan, 2016.
Mamedkala village, Dagestan, 2016.
Martin
Martin runs cheese and dairy foods with his wife in the village of Andeer in the canton of Grisons. Maria takes care of the technical side of workflow: she collects the milk from the farmers every day at 6:45 a.m. and prepares a daily batch of products. Martin is responsible for sales, delivery and marketing. He takes care of the staff and washes the cheese daily.
The Alps
Martin
The Alps
Martin runs cheese and dairy foods with his wife in the village of Andeer in the canton of Grisons. Maria takes care of the technical side of workflow: she collects the milk from the farmers every day at 6:45 a.m. and prepares a daily batch of products. Martin is responsible for sales, delivery and marketing. He takes care of the staff and washes the cheese daily.
Andeer, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
Andeer, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
MARIE
Marie is a third-generation tour guide at the Grande Dixence Dam. She lives in a chalet ten minutes from the dam and considers leading excursions her ideal job for the summer. She has been working part-time for six years already. She has studied the information about the dam according to the instructions of the organization and learned from her mother, who was also a guide. As a child, she spent a lot of time on the dam, so such work is also somewhat nostalgic.
The Alps
Marie
The Alps
Marie is a third-generation tour guide at the Grande Dixence Dam. She lives in a chalet ten minutes from the dam and considers leading excursions her ideal job for the summer. She has been working part-time for six years already. She has studied the information about the dam according to the instructions of the organization and learned from her mother, who was also a guide. As a child, she spent a lot of time on the dam, so such work is also somewhat nostalgic.
Grande Dixence Dam, Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
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Anthropogeos. 2021
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