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Challenging Female Stereotypes

12 February 2016

La Femme dans la Littérature Orale Africaine book cover image

Since the development of gender studies, women have gradually become a prime subject of scholarly studies in literature. But a new book, co-edited by IKD member Françoise Ugochukwu, is the first to offer a global view on the presentation of women in African oral literature and neo-orality. La Femme dans la Littérature Orale Africaine: Persistance des Clichés ou Perception de la Modernité?  brings together 14 contributions covering a vast geographical area, from Senegal to Cameroon via Ivory Coast, Burkina, Mali, Niger, Chad and Nigeria. It also investigates most of the oral genres – epics, folktales, proverbs, songs and oral poetry – to portray women in their daily life, their relations, and their role in society, religion and politics.

The first part considers women’s status in folktales oral poetry and proverbs from Cameroun, Chad and Burkina-Faso. The second, based on folktales from Mali, Ivory Coast and proverbs from Nigeria, follows women from birth to old age to record changes in the way society interacts with them. While the third and final part highlights the valuable contribution of women to their communities, and the special role undertaken by women’s groups and associations.

Based on extensive fieldwork and giving a voice to a number of younger researchers from west Africa, the book shows women at home and at work. By revealing women’s active and valuable contribution to communal life, it is a positive addition to the list of publications helping to fight stereotypes.

 

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