CULTURAL MOSAIC: COMPLEX GENDER IDENTITIES IN IGBO AND YORUBA LANGUAGES AND CULTURES

Abstract

This study delves into the intricate web of metaphysical identities imposed upon women in Africa, particularly exploring how these perceptions contribute to sustaining derogatory status within the cultural consciousness. Rooted in ancient African beliefs, shaped by ignorance, tradition, and confirmed through coincidences, the exploitation of women's sexuality through metaphysical lenses has persisted through the post-colonial era. This enduring narrative is propagated by mental poisoning, instilling attitudes of uncontrollable fear and premonition.

In the traditional African context, women's sexuality has been burdened with negative attributes, manifesting in concepts such as witchcraft and spirit-child, each reinforcing a detrimental metaphysical identity. These metaphysical attributions, often rooted in superstition, create stereotypes that significantly impact women's social relations. Notably, the widespread belief that women are responsible for societal evils perpetuates this negative metaphysical identity, as documented in various African cultures (Ogungbemi, 2007:128; Parrinder, 1974:124; Lawson, 1984:23-4

As an illustrative example, among the Ga people of the Guinea Coast in West Africa, women are perceived as vessels possessed by evil demons, a condition inherited by their daughters upon death. This perspective posits that a woman exists with dual identities—the physical and the metaphysical. The ensuing sub-sections dissect these two identities, shedding light on the intricacies and implications of the metaphysical burdens placed upon women in African societies.

This study aims to unravel the historical roots and contemporary repercussions of these metaphysical identities, providing insights into the complex interplay between cultural beliefs, gender roles, and societal expectations. By critically examining the narratives surrounding women's metaphysical identities, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on gender, cultural consciousness, and the need for transformative perspectives.