Browsing by Author "Kiyimba, Abasi"

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    Gender stereotypes in the folktales and proverbs of the Baganda.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2001) Kiyimba, Abasi
    This research examines the portrayal of gender stereotypes in the folktales and proverbs of the Baganda people of Uganda, as part of the attempt to understand the way gender works in a society that heavily relies on oral literature for education and entertainment. Unlike previous studies, which concentrate on female images, this work studies the stereotypes of both men and women. It also examines the relationship between men and women, against the assumption that the literature casts men into positions of social and political advantage. The study reviews both the positive and the negative images of men and women, and also considers their relationship to each other in situations of marriage, parenthood and political power. On the positive side, the woman is portrayed as a caring mother while the man is presented as the powerful guardian of social order. On the negative side, the woman is portrayed as lazy, evil, cruel (as a stepmother) and useless (when barren); and the man is portrayed as greedy, irresponsible and good-for-nothing (when impotent). In some cases, the men in positions of social and political power are shown to be mere figureheads, fronting for strong-willed women. From the evidence adduced in the study, certain forms of data stereotype women very severely, while others similarly stereotype men. It is therefore not possible to say whether the overall image of the man in the folktales and proverbs of the Baganda is worse than that of the woman, and vice versa. What is not in dispute, however, is that the literature negatively stereotypes both of them. The study maintains that oral literature is still a valuable medium of entertainment and social education, and recommends that the problem of gender stereotyping in it should be directly addressed through formal and informal education, to enable its consumers to resist its dichotomising effect.