Manipulation in folklore: a perspective in some siSwati folktales

Abstract

Owing to changes brought by modernisation, folktales and other folklore genres are often looked down upon, and thought by many to be outdated. The aim of this study is to explore manipulative behaviour in Siswati folktales. The study glanced at how manipulation is used in folktales, i.e. the causes and key strategies used by manipulators to manipulate their victims. The focus was on the conformism of manipulation in folktales, to current practice of manipulation in different social institutions, implication of manipulation, and how manipulation could be controlled. The researcher used the qualitative research method to collect and analyse data. To achieve the objectives of the study, data was collected from 28 folktale books that were purposefully selected for the purpose of providing information to answer the research questions. All data collected was analysed using ’Neuman’s (2000) Analytic Approach whereby the Method of Agreement and the Method of Difference was utilised. Data was categorised into different themes teased from the folktales for analysis. Based on the findings of the research, it is evident that manipulation prevails in Siswati folktales. Different characters are being manipulated in different settings using different strategies and tools. The powerful manipulate the less powerful, the intelligent manipulate the less gifted, and the rich manipulate the poor, while the knowledgeable manipulate the ignorant. The research findings relate very well with the current manipulative behaviour practiced by different social institutions and almost every individual and society is affected. Furthermore, the research reveals that manipulation can be curbed if current victims of manipulation decide to expose manipulative acts and join forces to fight the manipulator. In this case, it is recommended that different stakeholders from various departments join forces to fight manipulative tendencies that prevail in different institutions and society as a whole. The present study may revitalize the urge and the need to reconsider the study of folktales, since their themes remain the same.