Analysis of Gender Relations as Reflected in Amharic
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Date
2009-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study is based on analyzing gender relations as reflected in Amharic oral
genres of West Gojjam zone- with special emphasis on poetry and proverbs. The
study has four chapters. These are Introduction, Review of Related Literature,
Analysis as well as Summary and Conclusion.
The first chapter introduces the statement of the problem, objectives of the
study, significance of the study, scope and limitations, organization, methods of
data collection and analysis and translation. The second chapter discusses
theoretical issues of the study. The concepts of folklore and oral literature have
been discussed as background. As the study mainly revolves around oral
literature, attempts have been made to clarify its characteristics and functions .
Definitions and some other aspects of proverbs and oral poems have also been
provided specifically.
The data collected reveal the patriarchal view of the traditional community of
West Gojjam. Most of the proverbs and poems reflect superiority of men and
inferiority of women. Women are subordinated in many instances.
Therefore, some aspects of gender relations and images of women have been
assessed from the feminist theoretical point of view. In addition, chapter two
has incorporated assessments of previous researches on gender based oral
genres. The-socio cultural background of West Gojjam zone has also been
discussed in the last part of this chapter.
Chapter three , deals with the analysis of the data. The proverbs and oral poems
have been classified into two broad categories. The first category which is sub
divided into 13 topics shows negative images of the society towards women. The
second one depicts positive images of women in West Gojjam though only in a
fewer cases.
The last chapter, which is chapter four, tries to summarize what has been done
in the study. Based on the findings of the study conclusions have been drawn
and some recommendations have also been made.
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Keywords
PAmharic roverbs and Oral Poems