The study of gender roles in selected Ankole folktales and myths

Abstract

The study critically analyses and looks at gender roles as presented in selected Ankole Folktales and myths .The study was research based as well as field work based coupled with various interactions with older and more experienced people in the norms, culture and beliefs of the people of Ankole. The study analyses the gender roles focusing on the different ways through which they are brought out in the selected Folktales and myths. It is evident in the folktales, orature and myths of the Banyankole like any other African society that there was a great distinction between what a man can and should do and what a woman can and should do .There was no swapping of roles at any one point and the up bringing of these people dictated this from even when they were young. The study will look at how culture and beliefs contributed to gender roles basing on the feminism literary theory. The study will look at the gender misconceptions and how they influence role distribution in Ankole .The study also offers recommendations on which norms should be kept in relationship to gender roles and gender identity and those that should be given a second thought. This is important especially in this age of confusion and controversy in the field of gender and gender roles especially in the western countries. This is important so that Africa does not jump on this movement forgetting their norms and what informed their beliefs. This is not so say that all the African beliefs on gender and gender roles were right as the study shall prove, but some beliefs are a great guide to overcoming the pressures on the gender debate. The information shall be got from the folktales and myths through analysis of the plot, character and characterization, and the figurative language that includes metaphors, similes, personification used. The data analysis shall rely majorly on the feminism literary theory concerning issues of gender identity, gender roles and gender itself.