Go to AfricaBib home

Go to AfricaBib home AfricaBib Go to database home

bibliographic database
Line
Previous page New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Gender Ideology: Portrayal of Women in Yoruba 'ijala'
Author:Ogúnsina, BisiISNI
Year:1996
Periodical:African Languages and Cultures
Volume:9
Issue:1
Pages:83-93
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:Yoruba
women
oral literature (form)
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Women's Issues
Cultural Roles
literature
Sex Roles
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/1771794
Abstract:This article examines the portrayal of women in Yoruba 'ějálá', oral poetry in praise of Ogun, the Yoruba god of hunting, warfare and iron. Unlike other genres of Yoruba oral literary tradition, 'ějálá' chants are mainly records of male experience. 'Ějálá' chanters are mostly hunters, and 'ějálá' chants by women, about women and with a female perspective are rare. The author analyses four 'ějálá' narratives recorded in O. Yemitan's 'Ějálá aré .od.e' (Ibadan, Nigeria, 1979), in which women feature prominently. In all four chants women are portrayed as destructive, diabolical, treacherous, stubborn, and unattractive. The author sees this negative portrayal of women as a reflection of the gender ideology of an overwhelmingly patriarchal society. Bibliogr., note.
Views
Cover