The oral-paradigmatic semiotics and women imperative in South African folklore.

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.