This study investigates the role of women and gender dynamics in six communities of freedom that constitute the Returned African Diaspora in West Africa after the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. It argues that women played central and
leadership roles in social organization; cultural reproduction; identity reformulation and the promotion of values of freedom, social justice and equality. With few exceptions, studies of the African Diaspora within Africa have gen rally
not focused on women or gender dynamics in these pioneer and frontier-like societies where gender definitions tended to be less rigid and gender equality and women’s advancement are best examined within the framework of the struggle for
freedom in general. Case studies include the Americo-Liberians of Liberia; the Tabom of Ghana; the Agudas and Saros of Nigeria; The Aku/Creole of The Gambia and the Krios of Sierra Leone. This book will add to the growing literature
in African Studies, Women’s Studies, Diaspora Studies, the Social Sciences and The Black Atlantic.

Filomina Chioma Steady is Professor Emerita of Africana Studies at Wellesley College in the United States. She received her Doctorate in social anthropology from Oxford University, England and is the recipient of several awards, including Distinguished alumna award from Smith College in the United States. She has taught at several universities, including Yale University and the university of Sierra Leone. Dr. Steady has served as Deputy Director of the United Nations’ Division for the Advancement of Women and written several books and articles, including the award-winning book, The Black Woman Cross-Culturally.