The Image of Women in Tigrigna Oral Poetry: A Feminist Analysis of Raya Oral Poetry and Songs

The main object this article was to describe and analyze the image of Raya woman in Tigrigna oral poetry and songs. The study was conducted based on field research in rural areas of Raya Azebo and Raya Alamata Woredas in the Sothern Zone. The data was collected through observation, interview, and focus group discussion. For documentary evidence, twelve informants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. The research method employed was ethnographic qualitative description. The data was collected in Tigrigna language and then texts were translated into English using free translation. After that, the data were analyzed using functional and feminist approaches. Then, the selected oral pomes were grouped under seven (7) thematic classification. The result revealed that there is an occurrence of both negative and positive portrayal such as fulfilling, dependent on men, women’s voice against forced marriage, women’s image as housewives and the beauty of women.