Women and Femininity in Setswana Proverbs: Pragmatic Analysis

Abstract

Many African cultures have been discredited, ridiculed and negated. This study offers a different perspective on understanding African cultures. The article visits one of the oldest forms of literature in African societies, oral literature, focusing on proverbs to unpack gender issues embedded within proverbs. This article analyses a selected number of Setswana proverbs and studies how they encompass feminist ideas and empower women. The study argues that the Batswana have always provided women with social and cultural power and strength through proverbs. The question of how Africans empower women through conversations, riddles, proverbs, idioms and sayings should receive more attention in academic circles. African institutions have cultural norms and values that empower and celebrate women. The article uses gender equality perspectives and feminist frameworks to analyse and examine the selected Setswana proverbs that suggest or promote women’s empowerment. These proverbs portray women as powerful, independent, caring, tender and loving. The interpretation of these proverbs also depicts matriarchy as a common feature of the Batswana people.