Exploring The Role Of Food In Plot Development: A Study Of Makgamatha (1994) Folktales

Abstract

The recent noble discovery is that in all Northern Sotho folktales and many other African folktales food has been the driving force to prompt characters to go out in their encounters, thus leading to folktales plot development and finally deliverance of important cultural educational messages. This article reports on the study that focused on the importance of food in African cultures. The importance of food is further used as the reason for the development of folktale plots. The study followed a qualitative research approach where a case study design, was adopted. Data were generated through desktop data collection and document analysis. The study found that: One, African folktales begin with main characters going out to search for food. Two, in the process of their food search they come across different encounters, thus leading to folktale plot development. Three, the character who managed to get the big price in the form of food is praised, worshiped, and sometimes given an important cultural title, and the one who does not get anything mostly because of his ignorance of cultural values is despised and punished. These findings have at least one most important implication, that food is regarded most important in the African culture. People wake up in the morning in search of food, food is the main reason for survival, and without food, there is no life.