Communicating through performance: Izigiyo zawomame as gendered protest texts

Abstract

This paper examines the content of Zulu women's izigiyo performed at functions in KwaQwabe, a rural area near Stanger in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. We hypothesise that izigiyo as oral texts are largely gendered responses to issues of heritage, culture, women abuse and domestic violence. The paper explores gender relations in izigiyo in order to establish whether Zulu women have always been silent when it comes to issues of abuse and domestic violence.