The Construction of Images of Power Among the Sabaot of Kenya As Represented in Their Male Initiation Poetry
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE CONSTRUCTION OF IMAGES OF POWER AMONG THE SABAOT OF KENYA AS REPRESENTED IN THEIR MALE INITIATION POETRY ROBIN TOSKIN CHEPSIGOR C50/5625/2003 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF MASTER OF ARTS (LITERATURE) OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY. JANUARY, 2019 ii DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree or any other award in any other University. Signature:………………………………….Date: …………………………………… Chepsigor Robin Toskin (C50/5625/2003) Department of Literature SUPERVISORS This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as University Supervisors. Sign……………………………………………... Date……………… Prof. John Mugubi School of Creative and Performing Arts, Film and Media Studies, Kenyatta University Sign……………………………………………….Date……………… Dr. Wallace Mbugua Department of Literature, Kenyatta University ii DEDICATION To my father, John Kweyey Chepsigor Kapkamba for your foresight and commitment to send us to school albeit grinding poverty. Our family’s relative success illuminated Kipsagam and Cheptumbelio, some of the remotest villages in Kenya. Today, a degree is the bare minimum academic credential a child aspires for there. My mother, Joyce Cheptalach, dropping out of school early did not stop you from providing for us, always chiding and admonishing us for not working hard at school. You brewed traditional beer, often dodging police dragnet and Provincial Administration, just to raise school fees for us. Mom, I am proud of you. My wife and confidant, Topister Sabila, I will forever be grateful for your constant reminder of the need to conclude this thesis and offering the moral support as I negotiated through this exhausting academic work. My children, Francine Cherotich, Heidi Koreny, Lindsey Yap’Tiyoy, Abel De-Sanctis Toskin and Giovanni Toskin Toskin, thank you for your encouragement. May the Almighty God also illuminate your path in pursuit of knowledge. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study would not have taken off were it not for the thought provoking comments from my initial supervisors, Dr. Ezekiel Alembi and Dr. Machayo Olilo both of whom have departed from our midst. Dr. Alembi’s mastery of Ethnopoetics and Dr. Olilo’s wit and critical analysis laid the foundation upon which this study was anchored. Prof. Michael Wainaina’s perspectives on African ritual and critical thinking and my guide Herrickson Sakong Ndiema’s insight opened this study to innumerable possibilities. And like ducks taking to water, Dr. Wallace Mbugua and Dr. John Mugubi steered the ship to safety when I was about to give up. Their immense contribution in gathering my thoughts and giving this study the intellectual order it so much needed led to its logical conclusion. To the two, the least I can wish you is God’s grace so you may, for years to come, be fountains of knowledge. How can I forget Prof. Oluoch Obura, Dr. Kisa Amateshe, Dr Wasambo Were, Dr. Emmanuel Shikuku, Dr. Rachael Diang’a, Dr. Emmanuel Manyasa, Dr. J.S Makokha for their immeasurable intellectual input? To these great scholars, I say with utmost humility, a big thank you. All the efforts would have counted for nothing were it not for administrative guidance from Dorothy Nekesa Kusienya (Secretary, Department of Literature), Esther Mugwe (Secretary, Department of Film and Theatre). May God bless you abundantly. ii TABLE OF CONTENT DECLARATION ................................................................................................................................ i DEDICATION ................................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................... iiii TABLE OF CONTENT ...................................................................................................................ivii DEFINITION OF TERMS .............................................................................................................. vii ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................viii CHAPTER 1 ...................................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background to the Study ............................................................................................................. 2 1.2 The profile of the Sabaot Community ......................................................................................... 3 1.3 Statement of the problem........................................................................................................... 35 1.4 Research Objectives ................................................................................................................... 36 1.5 Research Questions .................................................................................................................... 36 1.6 Research Assumptions ............................................................................................................... 36 1.7 Justification and Significance of the Study ............................................................................... 37 1.8 Scope and Delimitation of the Research .................................................................................... 37 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................ 38 2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 38 2.1 Theoretical Literature ............................................................................................................... 38 2.2 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................. 44 2.2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 444 2.2.2 Ethno-poetic theory ............................................................................................................. 44 2.2.3 Psychoanalysis ..................................................................................................................... 46 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................................ 49 3.0 Methodology............................................................................................................................... 49 3.1 Research Design ......................................................................................................................... 49 3.2 Sampling Procedure................................................................................................................... 53 3.3 Data Collection ........................................................................................................................... 57 3.4 Data Analysis and Interpretation .............................................................................................. 59 3.5 Validity and Reliability .............................................................................................................. 62 3.6 Logistical and Ethical Consideration ........................................................................................ 63 ii 3.8 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 63 CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS ................................................................................................... 65 4.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 65 4.0.1 Style and Stylistic devices .................................................................................................... 65 4.0.2 Performance ........................................................................................................................ 66 4.1 Stylistic devices in Sabaot initiation oral poetry ....................................................................... 67 4.1.1 Imagery ............................................................................................................................... 71 4.1.2 Symbolism ........................................................................................................................... 77 4.2 Performance and its significance in power relations contest .................................................... 95 4.2.1 Initiation as a performance arena for Sabaot oral poetry ................................................. 96 4.2.2 Contexts of Oral Initiation Poetry Performance ................................................................ 97 4.2.3 Performance as arena for power relations contest ........................................................... 122 CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................................... 123 5.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................