DOI: https://doi.org/10.36719/2706-6185/56/50-61
Djaffali Amani
University of Oran 2, Mohamed Ben Ahmed, Algeria
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8980-8445
djaffali.amani@univ-oran2.dz
Souiah Mehdi
University of Oran 2, Mohamed Ben Ahmed, Algeria
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8598-8688
souiah.mehdi@univ-oran2.dz
Masculinity, Femininity, and the Social Imaginary in Algeria:
An Ethnographic Study in the Tebessa Region
Abstract
This article examines conceptions of masculinity and femininity within the social imaginary of the Algerian region of Tebessa, conceived as a cultural space rich in symbolic interactions and intersecting gendered identities. It is grounded in a central research problem: how these conceptions are formed within specific historical and cultural contexts. Masculinity and femininity are approached as symbolic systems that transcend biological classifications, reflecting instead complex social structures that regulate relations between individuals and groups. The study adopts a field-based ethnographic methodology, employing participant observation and in-depth interviews with local inhabitants, thereby enabling a nuanced understanding of the social and symbolic dynamics that shape gender roles. It further addresses the influence of historical, economic, and cultural factors on these conceptions, with particular emphasis on the role of socialisation, rituals, and religious and traditional discourses in the intergenerational reproduction of gender identities. The findings reveal the existence of a pronounced gender hierarchy in which masculinity is associated with strength, authority, and the capacity to provide. At the same time, femininity is constructed around values of obedience, modesty, and care. Although these conceptions continue to exert a strong influence, they are increasingly challenged by ongoing social and economic transformations, including rising levels of education, migration, and changes in family structure. The study also highlights emerging forms of negotiation around gender identity, as young men and women seek to redefine their roles in a changing social context, despite persistent cultural pressures and strong conservative attachments to tradition. In this context, the study contributes to enriching anthropological debates on identity dynamics in borderland societies, offering a framework for understanding gender transformations in traditional communities in the context of globalisation and rapid economic change.
Keywords: masculinity, femininity, social imaginary, anthropology, gender identity