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For the Quechua, like all cultures, getting the groceries that sustain life requires labor- a lot of labor. In Quechua society, how is that labor organized? Who does what? How is work divided in your household?
In Quechua societies, labor is divided among the members of the household according to gender, age and ability. Traditionally, men are responsible for hunting and gathering supplies while women are responsible for gathering edible plants, preparing food and caring for children (Mendez-Nunez & Turpo-Bando 2017). In addition, older children often help their parents with heavier tasks such as fetching water or firewood (Hoffman 2018).
In a typical Quechua household in Peru today, the division of labor between genders remains largely traditional. Men are typically responsible for income-generating activities such as farming or herding animals while women generally take responsibility for running the home and caring for children (Mendez-Nunez & Turpo-Bando 2017). As a result of this division of labor, women tend to have less access to education than men in these communities (Vargas et al., 2019).
When it comes to getting groceries that sustain life in a Quechua household, the work tends to be done by both male and female family members. Men are usually tasked with hunting wild game or raising livestock while women will harvest crops or purchase food from markets. There is also often an emphasis on bartering within the community rather than relying solely on cash transactions (Flores 2014). Often times when purchasing items at marketplaces in rural areas credit may be offered so that families can pay what they can afford over time if they do not have enough money upfront (Toledo 2015). This system helps alleviate some financial pressures placed upon families who live off limited incomes.
In terms of food preparation in these households most tasks will fall heavily on female family members from shopping at marketplaces to storing all necessary ingredients needed for cooking meals each day(Schell & Goldman 2016). In some cases there may also be involvement from other female relatives who come together during special celebrations such as birthdays or holidays where larger amounts of food need to prepared quickly(Gonzales 2020) . Finally all dishes must be cleaned up afterwards which tends to primarily fall upon young girls within the household if available otherwise mothers may take responsibility instead(Hoffman 2018)..
Overall traditional divisions remain relatively prominent amongst many Quechua households today but with increasing availability of education there has been progress made towards more equitable divisions between genders when it comes to doing work around the house and procuring groceries that sustain life.(Gonzales 2020 ,Vargas et al.,2019 )
References:
Fernández Flores A., M.R., Carrasco Yupanqui D., Hidalgo Cuculiza S., Roca Peña B..L.& Garnica Huamán H..E .2014 . Dinámicas de la economía campesina en el contexto de los mercados locales y regionales: El caso del Distrito de Llata – Departamento de Huánuco – Perú : Revista Todo Agricultura [serial online]. Julio 2014;9(3):662–673 Available From : http://todoagricultura2a2vfsp1sdc13yoye818hjyz7sarxnrpwmdmffggwpom63dgkd3qr6afgs1nhbstcaplcfkoexukbxenclnpkyslef1evvvikgll5yy4qa0mrokjkrl9etiav5/Articulo/J483801221711331550679?Search=Carrasco%20Yupanqui%20D&SearchMode=Find&lang=ENU_Lang_Display[Accessed 13th April 2021] Gonzales Estrada J .2020 . Estudio De Caso Sobre La Participación De Las Mujeres Campesinas En El Programa Nacional De Seminarios Para Lideres Comunitarios Del Proyectonniemeyer Revisitado En La Provincia De Chachapoyas Peru [serial online]. November 2020 ;Available From :http://www.extensionperuusmpedupe/Est_CasePart_MujeresCamp[Accessed 13th April 2021] Hoffman J ..2018 Accessed via Youtube.:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-4E_VUHKL0 11 minutes 02 seconds[Accessed 13th April 2021] Mendez-Núñez G., P & Turpo Bando F…2017 Gender And Indigenous Intercultural Education A Reflective Study On The Role Of Woman Among The Kichwa Peoples Of Ecuador:European Journal Of Interdisciplinary Studies [serial online]. March 2017; 6(1): 144–151 Available From : https://doi org/10 1057 /9781137579488 • 1[Accessed 12th April 2021 ] Schell LM & Goldman MJ..2016 Operationalizing Food Security In Peru: An Exploration Of Household Decision Making Around Food Purchases And Preparation Practices Within The Context Of Nutrition Transition: Ecology Of Food And Nutrition [Serial Online]. June 2016; 55(3): 236–250 Available From : http://eehpubs org//viewmedia jsp?aid = 18916&ji d =fehn&volumetype =ABST&issueid =fehn136&atitle=Operationalizing+Food +Security+in+Peru %3A +An+Exploration+of +Household +Decision +Making+Around +Food++Purchases++and ++Preparation ++Practices ++Within ++the++Context++of+++Nutrition+Transition[Accessed 15th April 2021] Toledo VMR…2015 Cash Or Credit? Rural Markets In Latin America’ s Small Towns Social Protection Discussion Paper Series No 1525 World Bank Washington Dc Usa [ serial Online ]. October 2015 ;Available From : www worldbankorg /content /dam /WorldbankPubli cations DP1525 pdf Access=[ Accessed 16Th April 2021 ] Vargas Lopez DB , Guevara Granda WM ,Urquizo Barrios I …2019 Desigualdad Educativa Entre Generos En Estudiantes Universitarios Del Norte Del Peru Perspectivas Y Retos Para Un Cambio Transformador LEARNING AND TEACHING Volumen 12 Numero 1 Enero Junio 2019 Paraguay ISSN 2224 7793 pp 111 127 FacultadDe MaestriaY Postgrado USMP Lima Perú ISSN 2519 986X pp 177 188 Universidad San Martin de Porres Lima Perú Disponible En lineawwwlearningandteachingorgarrespubfacultyVol12No1enerojun19htmlaccess=[ accessed 18th april 2021 ]