Sexism and misogyny in selected proverbs of the Chaga of Machame

Abstract

AbstractThis work employs a feminist perspective to examine how some proverbs of theChaga of Machame portray a sexist ideology that supports patriarchal relations aswell as social systems or environments in which women face culturalstereotyping. It discusses the impressions that some proverbs create and howsuch impressions set rules which govern how women are, should be treated andhow they are expected to behave. It has been argued that some life-long genderedattitudes towards women are evident in the selected proverbs and that they takepart in the creation of a social system which explains how women are seen,represented and how gender relations are organized, promoted, and shaped. Thepaper shows that proverbs constitute a powerful rhetorical device for the shapingof moral consciousness, opinions, and beliefs.Key words:Oral literature, Sexism, Gender studies, Chaga oral art, ProverbsIntroduction