Commodification: Feminist Struggles in Sutherland's the Marriage of Anansewa and Sofola's Wedlock of the Gods

Abstract

Women have always been considered as simply mere commodities. This has made them not to be valued for their human qualities in the society. Women in most African cultures are seen as commodities, where they are being given out in marriage against their will. Most times they are being sold out as commodities for economic values. However, African writers have been able to expose the flaws and dangers in such a conception. This study examines the negative impact of feminist struggles as a result of commodification by African parents. The study adopts feminism as a theory and uses textual analysis method to critically analyze Efua Sutherland's The Marriage of Anansewa and Zulu Sofola's Wedlock of the Gods. Through content analysis, the study discusses the commodification of women and their struggles in the African Patriarchal society. The study concludes that women will do better and contribute more positively in the society when they are given freedom to live as humans not as commodities. The study recommends that awareness should be created by triggering dialogue through theatre. This approach will open a unique space to build awareness on the effects of forced marriages as well as open discussion on how to address the issue