Implications of gender stereotypes in the selected basotho traditional Khati song 'kooko" and games

Abstract

This study discusses ways in which gender stereotypes are implied in the Basotho traditional khati song ‘kooko!’ and the selected games: khotsoane, mantloane and mokallo. The study identified some gender stereotypes in the Basotho traditional khati song ‘kooko!’ and the selected games. These identified gender stereotypes seem to be the embodiment of values expected later in children as adults. The values are instilled in children through their participation and performance of the song and the games selected for this study. Basotho traditional games and songs discussed in this study reveal some gender stereotypes where a society expects males and females to perform certain roles and responsibilities from a tender age. The study further demonstrates that certain cultural practices and rites of passage performed on either a boy and a girl-child at birth inform some gender stereotypes. Parents and grandparents are also found to be the contributing factors to these gender stereotypes as they dictate the children’s roles and responsibilities from the early stages of development. The findings also show that most of these gender stereotypes have positive impact towards attitudes and behaviour expected by the society in the children. It is therefore concluded that there are societal expectations on gender roles and responsibilities in children from a tender age. The introduction of games and songs to the children dictates different roles for boys and girls on how they have to conduct themselves intheir society in future