Eating forbidden fruit in a Xhosa oral narrative

Abstract

This contribution is about the interpretation of events in a particular Xhosa folk-tale. A dog, which is a low-status animal in Xhosa society, becomes a symbol of male dominance when he satiates his sexual appetite by raping the luckless victim, a young girl. The narration represents a distinctly feminist outcry and protest against forced sexual relationships. At the same time it could also be interpreted as a protest against the powerlessness and statuslessness of certain individuals (again female?) in society, hence the elevation of a dog to the position of a homeowner and power. The actions of preparing food, eating (in its everyday application as well as in the sexual context). swallowing and regurgitating, are explored and linked to the above.