Caring supporters or daring usurpers? Representation of women in Akan proverbs

Abstract

The article examines the representation of women as espoused in a number of Akan (Niger-Congo, Kwa) proverbs. The objective is to analyze traditional views on the perceptions and roles of the woman in Akan society and explore the interrelation between language, gender and culture. Using a (Feminist) Critical Discursive Approach, 62 Akan proverbs about women, selected from both written and oral sources, are examined. We argue that although the contexts within which these proverbs are used may not always be gendered, by focusing on women (and men), Akans tend to present women in particular stereotypical ways through the use of these gendered proverbs, most of which can be interpreted as derogatory, negative or subservient. We also argue that although women are sometimes represented positively, such representations, which are seen as virtues, often lure them into accepting and playing these traditional stereotyped roles, thus reinforcing hegemonic masculinity and femininity.

Representation of Women in the Sundanese Proverbs

“…Male supremacy is also evident in the common use of masculine generic constructions and male-firstness in Chinese proverbs. Diabah and Amfo (2015) also examine the representation of women as espoused in a number of Akan (Niger-Congo, Kwa) proverbs. Their research is to analyze traditional views on the perceptions and roles of the woman in Akan society and explore the interrelation between language, gender and culture.…”

“…Research on proverbs abounds, such as studies are conducted by Storm (1992), Sunderland (2006), Hussein (2009), Anderson (2012), Wang (2012), Asimeng-Boahene (2013), Lee (2015), Diabah and Amfo (2015) and Mubarok (2016). For instance, Anderson (2012) in his study of how proverbs deal with the relationship between and characterization of men and women in a peasant society in Northern Sweden, he argues that 'the gender conceptions found in the proverbs form a system of gender hegemony that supports masculine superiority and feminine subordination' (p. 10).…”

Cultural conceptualization of women in Igbo Proverbs

“…The intertwined relationship between language and culture have attracted quite a number of scholarly attention especially on explorations of the role of language in the expression, construction and deconstruction of gender identities (cf. Cameroon 2005, Wardaugh 2006, Diabah and Amfo 2015. This paper is a modest contribution to the study of language, culture and gender in Igbo society.…”

“…Quite a number have also examined proverbs from gendered lenses (cf. Diabah andAmfo 2014, Asimeng-Boahene, 2013;Oduyoye, 1979, Anderson, 2012, Muwati et al, 2011, Wang, 2012. In Igbo cultural context, quite a number of studies have been carried out on proverbs (cf Nwachukwu-Agbada 2002.…”

The Representation of Jews in Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Hungarian Proverb Collections

“…Women also comprise a group unto itself in the four nineteenth-century collections, wherein, as also shown in several proverb studies from other cultures, the proverbs and sayings indirectly, though far from subtly, guide the group's women as to what is considered appropriate behavior (Kerschen 2000, Hussein 2009, Diabah and Amfo 2015. Being modest, diligent, submissive, subservient, reproductive, and not too outspoken are all hailed traits whereas their opposites are condemned (e.g., Hallgatással szép az aszonyember ['Women folk are beautiful when silent'] (Erdély 284).…”