The Dark Side of Northern Sotho Folklore: A Study on the Emotional Vulnerability of Children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6697/17021Keywords:
folktales , recipients, Northern Sotho, culture, orality, heritage, narratorsAbstract
This study investigates the role of folklore and folktales in the transmission of cultural values across generations within Northern Sotho communities. Folklore has historically been a key medium for passing down cultural traditions, with elderly women typically acting as the narrators and children as the primary recipients. However, African societies, including Northern Sotho communities, have not always considered the emotional impact of these stories on the listeners. This study aims to explore how folktales are narrated and to assess whether they may inflict emotional trauma on their recipients. The study reveals that the narrators, typically elderly women, are not formally trained in addressing the psychological impact of their stories. As a result, children may be exposed to folktales that, although rich in tradition, could be emotionally damaging, especially when these stories contain themes of violence, fear, or moral dilemmas that may be too heavy for young minds to process. A qualitative research approach was employed, using a case-study design. Data were gathered through focus group interviews and document analysis. The study found that (1) narrators of folktales are not formally trained, (2) the original versions of folktales are still told despite changing social contexts, and (3) the emotional harm caused by certain folktales is often overlooked. Based on these findings, the study recommends two key actions: (1) a review of cultural folktales to eliminate harmful content and (2) training for narrators to ensure the delivery of trauma-free folktales.
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