Female Stereotypes in Selected Xitsonga Poetry

Abstract

Language, as well as its different forms of usage,is the most important assets that every nation and linguistic community possesses. It is a dynamic and multi-faceted, God-given asset that is used in a number of ways and in a number of contexts to express a myriad of feelings and thoughts, including stereotypes in poetry and other forms of artistic expression. The Merriam Webster Learner’s Dictionary (1828) defines a stereotype as something conforming to a fixed or general pattern; especially an often oversimplified or biased mental picture held to characterise the typical individual or a group. It further mentions that a stereotype is used to refer to an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic. This paper explores the socio-historical context of women, their roles in society and the family in order to understand the reasons they are portrayed in particular ways. In some African cultures, women have historically not been accorded the same status as their male counterparts. The status quo which currently exists with regard to women poets in South Africa is such that there seems to be no women poets as compared to other African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, where women authors are challenging the status quo to restore their dignity as poets and human beings (Mutiso, 2011). The South African experience may be different. This paper therefore, sets out to expose the negative stereotypes that have been perpetrated by male poets about women.