African Languages

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Structural analysis, significance and interpretation of Sesotho folktale: Phokojwe
(University of the Free State, 2011-02) Mokoena, Lynette Sellwane; Malete, E. N.
This study project focuses on one Sesotho folktale called "Phokojwe", (The jackal). All characters are animals and the subject is about water preservation and its challenges. This folktales will be considered within the Syntagmatic Structural approach, where the text is described in chronological order as reported by the story teller, and within the Paradigmatic structured approach, where patterns underlying the Folkloristic text is not a requested structure, but where elements are regrouped in a more analytical manner to manifest latent content within the text. It is this latent content that this study will employ to depict how this folktale can be used to interpret the socio-political situation in real life. This research study further intends to argue that Sesotho folktales are not bound to time and space; they can be employed to interpret the current economic and social happenings. They have depth in that there is an underlying message from which people can learn about African values and social norms. In this folktale, 'Phokojwe', the significance of democracy is depicted, the practice of preserving water is the central subject, voluntarism, human weakness and bribery prevail.