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http://DOI.ORG/10.33234/SSR.20.8

The Oral-Paradigmatic Semiotics and Women Imperative

in South African Folklore

                                                 

Christopher Babatunde Ogunyemi,  Mahlatse Kgopa and   Mpho Motseki

                                        

 School of Social Sciences

 University of Mpumalanga

 Mbombela, Mpumalanga.

  South Africa

                                            

Abstract                              

The article systematically examines the folkloric literature in South Africa and discusses phenomena using the oral-paradigmatic semiotic style the portrayal of women in the articulation of ideas and society. These portrayals have been exponential from the lenses of orality and semiotic interpretations. From the ancient assumptions to the current dispensation in Africa, stories, events, mythical beliefs have been copiously structured to pass from one generation to the other through the technical devices espoused by word of the mouth. Consequently, during these oral renditions, women in traditional Africa have had to be reconfigured because women, apparently, have had to suffer from the consequences of patriarchy, misogyny and relegation which was also passed from generation to generation in Africa. The article titillates the feminist critical theory of Nawal El Saadawi which constructively questions the representation of women in literary epoch. It visualizes the folkloric trajectory and the economic disposition of women within the purview of folkloric configuration of women in South Africa.

Keywords: Semiotic, Orality, Folklore, Politics, Literature, Culture, South African and Women.