Abstract
The Heroism of women in the African Epic: A critical analysis of Sundiata or the mandingo Epic, Emperor Shaka The Great: A Zulu Epic and Nsongo’a Lianja: The national Epic of the Nkundo. In African epics, female figures perform salient heroic roles that are, unfortunately, not widely recognised and celebrated, as notions of bravery and heroism are understood from a male perspective. Against this backdrop, this study adopts new critical and conceptual approaches to interrogate existing narratives, discourse and ideas on/or about female heroism. By focusing on selected epics, this work incorporates perceptions about women in folktales whose themes comment and reflect on the presentation of female characters and the roles they execute in society. The present contribution critically examines the role of supernatural forces in female characters’ commitment and heroism; not only protecting Soundiata, Shaka, and Lianja in accomplishing their destinies but also showcasing the activities, traditions, belief systems and culture of the Mandingo, Zulu, and Mongo in their respective societies.
Highlights
Généralement, dans les récits épiques, où les guerres de conquêtes demeurent au centre des intrigues, la femme est considérée comme simple spectatrice ou suiveuse des événements
La passivité de la femme dans les épopées est corroborée par Mariam Konaté Deme (2010) quand elle déclare que : The lack of portrayal of women as true heroines in African oral literature undoubtedly emanates from the bias that Western scholars as well as African ones have had about women and their roles in African societies
Zobel, K., 1996, ‘Les gens du Koma, identités locales, logiques religieuses et enjeux sociopolitiques dans les Monts Manding du Mali’, Cahiers d’études Africaines 36(144), 625–658
Summary
L’héroïsme de la femme dans l’épopée africaine : un regard critique de Soundjata ou l’épopée mandingue, Emperor Shaka The Great : A Zulu Epic et Nsongo’a. & Nkaongami, J.B., 2018, ‘L’héroïsme de la femme dans l’épopée africaine : un regard critique de Soundjata ou l’épopée mandingue, Emperor Shaka The Great : A Zulu Epic et Nsongo’a Lianja : l’épopée nationale des Nkundo’, Literator 39(1), a1419. In African epics, female figures perform salient heroic roles that are, not widely recognised and celebrated, as notions of bravery and heroism are understood from a male perspective. Against this backdrop, this study adopts new critical and conceptual approaches to interrogate existing narratives, discourse and ideas on/or about female heroism. The present contribution critically examines the role of supernatural forces in female characters’ commitment and heroism; protecting Soundiata, Shaka, and Lianja in accomplishing their destinies and showcasing the activities, traditions, belief systems and culture of the Mandingo, Zulu, and Mongo in their respective societies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
