Abstract:
The title of this study is “The portrayal of women by selected Xitsonga music
composers”. The main problem of this study is the gender stereotyping of women
by Xitsonga music composers. According to Neidhart and Carling (2003:08),
women’s identities and roles have traditionally been associated with weaknesses,
poor intelligence, laziness and lack of credibility. The purpose of this study is to
analyse the way women are portrayed by Xitsonga music composers in their
songs. The sample of this study comprised of 7 songs by Dr. Thomas Hasani
Chauke and Shinyori Sisters, 4 from George Maluleke and Van’wanati Sisters, 7
from Solly Makamu, 2 from Oscar Makamu, 3 from General Muzka, 3 from Eckson
Maluleke, 3 from Dr. Joe Shirimani and 3 from Benny Mayengani. The identification
of the selected composers from the different eras was purposively done to reveal
the fact that even in an era of democracy, where people are supposed to be
treated equally and live peacefully, stereotypes still persist in different
communities. The songs will be analysed to identify their themes and how women
are portrayed in the selected song lyrics. In this study, a qualitative research
design will be used by the researcher, to explore the portrayal of women in 32
selected Xitsonga songs. This study is foregrounded in the Feminist literary theory
and Psychoanalysis Theory. The analyses also revealed biasness in the manner in
which women were portrayed. A reflection of women stereotypes was observed
where women were portrayed as gold-diggers, untrustworthy, greedy, bullies,
prostitutes, immoral, trouble-makers and betrayers. This study recommends that
the perception of women and men should be equal.
