Misogyny in African Oral Literature through the Lens of Northern Sotho Proverbs

Abstract

This study unveils misogynistic stereotypes in oral literature by probing into Northern Sotho proverbs. Oral literature includes riddles, proverbs, folktales, songs, myths, idioms, legends and epic poems, which have emerged as mechanisms to educate, entertain and guide people in their societies. Thus, many cultural systems depend on oral literature to assert gender roles that are often found to be preferential to men and discriminatory to women. Of the forms of oral literature mentioned above, this qualitative study has utilised proverbs from the African, Northern Sotho tribe to unmask the stereotypes that are fostered by oral literature against women. The data used in this study were collected from critical books, theses and journal articles. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the proverbs based on misogynistic elements. Through a textual analytic method, the proverbs were analysed, scrutinised and found to be misogynistic towards women, as they appear to champion menfolk at the expense of womenfolk. To this end, oral literature asserts assumptions that persuade women to be subservient to men, and sometimes trivialises women and advocates against them accessing education, wealth, power, decision-making and leadership positions. Furthermore, this study adds value to the global contest against the discrimination, abuse and appalling killings of women. It uncovers the cultural creeds that are often abused and used to excuse the marginalisation of women. Cultural structures appear to be given inadequate attention when the perpetrators of discrimination against women are confronted. It is recommended that societal initiatives such as public talks be undertaken specifically by men to call for the end of discrimination against women.