Male and female age organizations and secret societies in Africa

Hypothesis

"The major role of age organizations in the economy, outside of mutual economic aid, is to provide a labor force for tribal elites or elders"(243). Age grades also affect social roles of male age organizations: "compared to those without grades, graded organizations are much more likely to (1) cut across communities (2) determine a man's appointment to political office, and (3) allow membership to continue after marriage"(243).