Kinds of Characters in SiSwati Folktales

  • Jabulani Jarreth Sabelo Pato Department of African Languages, University of Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa
  • Zilibele Mtumane Department of African Languages, University of Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa
Keywords: Folktales; Characters; Hero; Villain; Foil Characters

Abstract

This article explores the kinds of characters found in siSwati folktales. The kinds to be discussed are the hero, villain, and foil characters. The folktales to be considered are ‘Mpompo’, ‘Khabonina’ and ‘Lonkombose NaDemthelele’, in Dlamini’s Sinkayinkayi, and ‘Imphisi’, ‘Ingcavulele’ and ‘Lokuthula NaLochalachala’, in Dlamini and Garb’s Bekukhona. The concepts of character and folktale are defined as part of the introductory section of the study. The subtopics of this discourse are introduction, the hero, the villain, foil characters and conclusion.

References

Abrams, M.H. and Harpham, G.G. 2009. A Glossary of Literary Terms (9 th Edition): Boston.Wadsworth CEGAGE Learning.
Dlamini, G.B. and Garb, G. 2008. Bekukhona. Pietermaritzburg: Macmillan.
Dlamini, O.S. 1986. Sinkayinkayi. Manzini: Longman.
Ebewo, P. 1997. A Handbook of Literary and Critical Terms for African Students. Maseru: Publishing House.
Hendry, J.O. 2013. Wordsmiths: An Approach to Short Story Study. Cape Town: CTP Printers. Msimang, C.T. 1986. Folktale Influence on the Zulu Novel. Pretoria: Acacia Books.
Mtumane, Z. 1995. A Critical Analysis of P. T. Mtuze’s Novel: UDingezweni. Master’s Dissertation. Alice: University of Fort Hare.
Mtumane, Z. 2018. ‘The Hero’s Journey in GB Sinxo’s UNomsa’. South African Journal of African Languages. 38 (1): 99 – 108.
Nkosi, N. and Zama, M. 1990. Kanisamili Zimpondo. Pretoria: Sigma Press.
Nyaungwa, D. 2008. Folktale Influence on the Shona Novel. Master of Arts Dissertation. Pretoria: University of South Africa.
Olrik, A. 1965. Epic Law of Folk Narrative. London: Utah State University Press.
Okpewho, I. 1992. African Oral Literature. Indianapolis: Indiana University Press.
Pato, J.S.J. 2023. Folktale Influence on IsiZulu and SiSwati Short Stories. Doctoral Thesis. Johannesburg: University of Johannesburg.
Propp, V. 1968. Morphology of the Folktale. Austin: University of Texas Press.
Roberts, E.V. 1999. Writing About Literature. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Rosenberg, B.A. 1978. Olrik’s Law: A Judicial Review. Providence: Brown University.
Vilakati, T.S. and Msibi, T. 2006. Giya Sigiye. Manzini: Macmillan.
Published
2024-08-05
How to Cite
Sabelo Pato, J. J., & Mtumane, Z. (2024). Kinds of Characters in SiSwati Folktales. International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, 7(8), 191-204. https://doi.org/10.47814/ijssrr.v7i8.2290