Redes de entreajuda e relações de reciprocidade: um estudo sobre xitique familiar praticado por famílias residentes na Cidade de Maputo

Abstract

The present study addresses the networks of mutual assistance and reciprocity relations, starting from a study on family shit and seeks to understand the motivations that lead families to activate the mutual aid networks as well as to analyze the existing relationships within the family shit group. To this end, a bibliographic review was made on the subject under analysis and fieldwork in Maputo province in the municipal districts KaMaxakene, KaMavota and KaMbukuane, in an interval of four months from June to October 2011. The bibliographic review enabled us to frame the work in two main approaches. THE first approach advocates that individuals join networks to respond to challenges economic and social. That is why inter- or extra-family networks are important in the solution of specific and future problems that in isolation would not be possible to solve. The second approach shows that individuals associate in a network because they are governed by the principle of reciprocity of giving, receiving and giving back without, however, waiting for the return the given thing. Inspired by the works of Godelier (2000), Casal (2005) and Mauss (2008) this study argues that the family shit obeys the principle of reciprocity because when people give, they have no immediate expectation of the return of the given thing. Shit is a means of savings and mutual help among members. That is why, within the family shit group, there is permanent and punctual mutual help, both in moments of joy as well as sadness. Furthermore, the data indicate that the family shit creates new dynamics of family life which includes the integration of closer neighbors in the family, establishes and cups. The practice of family shit reinforces fraternity, friendship, cooperation and avoids matings between members of the network.