The Images of Women in the Proverbs and Sayings of the Oromo: The Case of West Arsi Zone
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The major goal of this study is to examine the portrayal of women in the proverbs and
sayings of the Arsi Oromo and to asses the awareness of the people about the effects of these
proverbs and sayings on women. To achieve this goal, an attempt was made to collect
proverbs and sayings that refer to women and attitudinal information from two woredas of
West Arsi zone- Arsi Negelle and Kofale. The data was collected using three types of
instruments (focus-group discussion), interview and questionnaire. The collected data was
transcribed, tallied and tabulated (for questionnaires), translated from the original language
(‘Afaan Oromoo) to the target language (English) and finally, it was analyzed and
interpreted qualitatively.The study shows that women are portrayed both positively and
negatively in the proverbs and sayings of the Arsi. The image of women as mothers is a
positive one, despite the fact that even the proverbs sayings that are used to praise women
also reflect a socio-cultural attitude of the people and the sex-role stereotypes that are
hidden in these proverbs and sayings. Even though the majority of the respondents have
indicated that among the Arsi, proverbs are used to add flavor to their speech; to settle
social problems; to correct misbehavior; to criticize, praise and encourage good behavior;
etc., they directly or indirectly show the inferiority of women and the biased social attitudes
towards them. In these proverbs and sayings, women are depicted as weak and dependent,
illogical, irrational, irresponsible, ignorant, jealous, unfaithful, unreliable and
unpredictable, and as inferior members of their community. Positively, women are portrayed
as good house makers and obedient servants for their family. And it was found out that, the
women have internalized the negative attitude the society shows towards them and they act
according to the social code of conduct honestly. The elders attributed the cause of the
existing negative attitude towards women to the cultural adoption of the Oromo people after
the fall of Gadaa system due to the conquest of Minelik II to the region. Though they are not
aware of the socializing effect of the proverbs and sayings that they use for their
aforementioned functions, the respondents indicated that the proverbs and sayings they use
towards women have both positive and negative effects on them. It is also found out that the
transmission of these proverbs and sayings from one generation to the other generation
facilitates the continuation of the existing images of women to the future, thereby causing
women’s negative self image that results in low women’s participation in different social
affairs. Finally, it was indicated by the respondents that this problem will be alleviated by:
teaching the society about gender equality; increasing women’s participation; hindering the
use of proverbs and sayings that undermine women; and by educating women so as to enable
them defend the violation of their rights.
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Keywords
Proverbs and Sayings