Female stereotypes in selected Zimbabwean Ndebele novels, 1975-2016

Abstract

The research examines gender stereotypes accorded to women in different socio-historical periods in selected Ndebele novels published in (1975-2016) written by both men and women. Eriksen (1994:29) defines stereotyping as “the creation and consistent application of standardised notions of the cultural distinctiveness of a group”. The study derives impetus from the fact that studies on gender in Zimbabwean literature such as those by Chitando (2011), Mangena (2013) and Nyanhongo (2011) have laid disproportionate emphasis on literary works written in Shona and English at the expense of Ndebele language ones. It was found that there is change and continuity in stereotypes accorded to women in different historic periods where both external and internal forces such as colonialism and patriarchy respectively play a major role in the stereotypes accorded to women. Information for this study was gathered through an analysis of data collected through interviews with literary critics and authors. Ndebele narratives demonstrate various representations of women where Ndebele novelists enforce stereotypes about women. Women are depicted as mothers, mother warriors, immoral and inferior to men. The research made use of the socio-historic approach and African feminism to argue that stereotypes depict unjust gender relations and cultures tend to place boundaries on the gender spaces of maleness and femaleness so as to stereotype expectations associated with masculinity and femininity and novels enhance gender stereotypes in Ndebele society.