The Image of Women in Tigrigna Oral Poetry: A Feminist Analysis of Raya Oral Poetry and Songs

Authors

  • Kahasay Chekole Raya University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.82489/rjsd.2025.1.01.41

Abstract

The main object this article was to describe and analyze the image of Raya woman in Tigrigna oral poetry and songs. The study was conducted based on field research in rural areas of Raya Azebo and Raya Alamata Woredas in the Sothern Zone. The data was collected through observation, interview, and focus group discussion. For documentary evidence, twelve informants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. The research method employed was ethnographic qualitative description. The data was collected in Tigrigna language and then texts were translated into English using free translation. After that, the data were analyzed using functional and feminist approaches. Then, the selected oral pomes were grouped under seven (7) thematic classification. The result revealed that there is an occurrence of both negative and positive portrayal such as fulfilling, dependent on men, women’s voice against forced marriage, women’s image as housewives and the beauty of women.

References

Abraham A. (2006). Oral Narratives as an Ideological Weapon for Subordinating Women: The Case of Jimma Oxromo. Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA).

Assefa, E. (20002). Linguistic Violence against Women as Manifested in Sexist Amharic Proverbs. 67-68.

Belsey, C. (1983). Critical Practice. London: New York Methuen

Chesaina, C. (1991). Images of women in African oral literature: Kalenjin and Maasai oral narratives as case studies. Paper presented at Kenya Oral Literature Association Conference.

Coward, R. and J. Ellis. (1977). Language and Materialism. Boston: Routledge.

Diefenbach, H. (2002). Gender ideologies, relative resources, and the division of housework in intimate relationships: A test of Hyman Rodman's theory of resources in cultural context. International Journal of Comparative Sociology.

Finnegan, R. (1970). Oral Literature in Africa. Nairobi: Oxford University Press.

Hagos S. (2015). The Portrayal of Women in Tigrigna Proverbs and Proverbial Expressions: the stereotypical Beliefs and Behavioral Tendencies (Vol. 3). the St. Inter. J. Eng. Lit. Cult. 3(6): 183-189.

Kenaw Gebreselassie. (2006). The portrayal of women in Ethiopian television advertisements. Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa University.

Mugo, E. N. (1982). Kikuyu people. A brief outline of their customs and traditions. Nairobi: Kenya Literature Bureau.

Ndungo, C. M. (2006). The Image of Women in African oral Literature; A case Study of Gikuyu Orla Literature. Organization for

Downloads

Published

2025-11-10

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

The Image of Women in Tigrigna Oral Poetry: A Feminist Analysis of Raya Oral Poetry and Songs . (2025). Raya Journal of Science and Development, 1(01). https://doi.org/10.82489/rjsd.2025.1.01.41