Gender swap, cross-dressing, and androgyny in Oyin Olugbile’s Sanya

Abstract

Patriarchy and sexual politics have often been skewed against women in military and leadership roles. This paper discussed gender-swapping, cross-dressing, and androgyny as feminist templates that enable women to subvert patriarchy, actualise themselves, and serve society outside of the norm. The study aims to investigate how the feminism-propelled counter-narrative deployed in Oyin Olugbile’s Sanya interrogates received myths and helps subvert stereotypes about women in military and leadership positions. Further, the paper aimed to explore the possibility that many African myths may carry within themselves, coded narratives about the forbidden roles of women in military and leadership positions. Using quantitative discourse analysis from a feminist standpoint governed by post-structuralist philosophy as research methodology, the study pursues intersections between myth, gender, and popular culture. Findings revealed that uncomfortable social truths banished from sanctified myths serve as creative repertoire for engendering ‘subversive’ literary forms. It also found that myths extend their relevance by infusing historical elements with contemporary nuances. The paper recommended more African myth-based creative interventions using new forms that would appeal to the modern-day generations. It suggested that such creative interventions help increase the literary corpus of Nigerian Literature and make for the continuing relevance of verbal performances/Orature in contemporary literary studies. The paper concluded that myths continue to serve society as ancient-in-modern templates which ensure generational relevance by interrogating received narratives.