The Image Of Wolio Women In People’s Folklore: a Sociofeminical Study

Abstract

, As one of the cultures in Indonesia, Wolio has a collective memory which emphasizes about their woman. Through their various folk tales, women are depicted as honorable creatures, as well as beings that neglected by culture. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the image of women in folklore. This research was a descriptive qualitative research and focuses on the image of women. This study used a socio-feminism approach. The data analysis technique used the image theory proposed by A. Ruthven which highlight on how women are imaged in the text, how they should be read, and tries to unravel the ideology which underlies each of these images. The results indicated that various folk tales existed in Wolio in which highlighted that not all women were imaged as a strong or independent image, but quite often they were made subordinated by men. Based on a view of feminist, it is found that the image of Wolio women must be explained as women who are subordinated according to the various folk stories. Meanwhile, from the uncovering of her ideology, it is able to be explained that cultural and political influences have made the various images of Wolio women subordinated in culture and politics. The various negative treatments experienced by Wolio women are conveyed by this study as a representation of the image through the story. On top of that, the image of women is manifested in physical, psychological, helpless, resigned to circumstances, housewives, loyalty, babysitting, domestic, husband's companion, and