An analysis of the female images portrayed in Rukiga Proverbs

Abstract

This research studied an analysis of female images in Rukiga proverbs in the South Western Uganda, in the area formerly known as Kigezi. It aimed at establishing whether women were given a positive image, a negative one, or both .It looked at the case studies of three sub counties in three districts of the Rukiga speaking area. These are Nyarushanje Sub-County in Rukungiri district, Ikumba Sub-County in Rubanda district and Kihiihi Sub-County in Kanungu districts. The above Districts were considered as Kigezi as they were called before British colonization.

The Rukiga language is rooted in an intensely oral culture which manifests a propagation of art forms expressing their wealth of music, dance, drama and other oral art forms .Another indicator of the literary wealth of Rukiga is the constant flavouring of speech performance with proverbs as the spice of oral expression. Basically this study analyzed proverbs to find out the female images portrayed, that is, to assess whether they are positive, negative or both.

The study also evaluated which genre, men or women, is portrayed more positively or more negatively. It also documented the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ meted out to men and women by proverbs in Rukiga. Lastly, it made critical assessment of the proverbs of the Bakiga as social statements capable of establishing the relationship between men and women

The presentations of results focused mainly on the findings from the field and the analysis by the researcher. The number of male respondents corresponded to that of female for equal representation of results. The study basically focused on background information of the folklore of the Bakiga, that is, beliefs, practices and norms. The proverbs which is part of Bakiga’s folklore was found to use animals, plants and other elements in the surrounding ecosystem as symbolism to reflect on and critique human behaviour. Proverbs were ultimately found to portray the community’s way of life. They showed society’s perception of issues of gender roles, access to and control of resources as well as power relations.

The content was finally put under eight chapters. Chapter one and two were characterized of background and introduction to the study as well as literature review among others .Chapter three was about Feminist Theory used to analyse research findings, Chapter four explained the methodology used and chapter five and six and seven were for data presentation. Chapter Eight finally viewed the recommendations and constraints encountered in trying to accomplish the study.