Social conditions for access to the Bach-djerrah gold market through a gender and class lens

Abstract

The article analyses the social conditions of access to the informal gold market in Bach-djerrah (Algiers) in terms of gender and class. The methodological
approach based on a qualitative survey conducted between January and July 2017, collecting data from observation and in-depth interviews
with 13 gold traders and two delalate women. They relate to their trajectories from childhood to access to the gold market. The main results reveal that
the socialization of merchants under the influence of the majority model of Oulid Houma, a symbol of masculinity, the moral nature of El Houma
and the effects of mutual knowledge and recognition in this popular environment constitute elements of the eviction of women and foreigners
from this market. However, the domination of the men of Bach-djerrah does not completely exclude the role of women, who act as the invisible
actors of this informal trade. The reputation of a girl from a good family and her conduct according to the norms of masculinity allow the women
of Bach-djerrah to access this market. This reshapes the socially rejected activity of delalate women, according to the norms of this male community
and the sacredness of El Houma.