The representation of the Institution of marriage in selected Ankole Folk tales.

Abstract

The study analysed and looked at gender roles as presented in selected Ankole Folktales. 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 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 upbringing of these people dictated this from even when they were young. The study looked at how culture and beliefs contributed to gender roles. The study looked at the gender misconceptions and how they influence role distribution in Ankole .The study also offered 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 modern 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 was got from the folktales by analyzing of the plot, character and characterization, and the figurative language that includes metaohors,similes, personifiaction used. The data analyses relied majorly on Folktales concerning issues of gender identity, gender roles and gender concept.