Portrayal of domestic violence in selected Ankole folktales

Abstract

The Study critically analyzes the reccurence of the theme of domestic violence in Ankole folktales. In it I argue that society constructed, through its oral literature, the standards with which people relate to one another. When the sexes relate with one another, interlocutions spring up that may turn to altercations and bickering that may turn violent. The heavy presence of violence in the tales of Ankole speaks volumes about the relations between men and women. The study was guided by Michel Foucaul’s theorization on power by looking at the powerlations in families among men and women that struggle of which brings about violence. Foucault’s theory of power and knowledge explores a network of relationships working through social units and a productive difuse of force. The study was predominantly a library research that involeved critical reading of the collected folktales. It was a qualitative research. The study in its chapter four observes the different forms of domestic violence and how they are relayed in the folktales. These included: family neglect, fights in a domestic setting, jealousy and envy, marriage and problems associated with it and many others. Characters are brought out exaggeratedly to vividly bring out the sub-themes of domestic violence. The study therefore focuses on statements by characters in folktales to highlight the theme in the stories and raising awareness to communities about the vice through characterization.