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Images of Environment in Kipsigis 'Tumdo' Songs

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Images of Environment in Kipsigis 'Tumdo' Songs IMAGES OF ENVIRONMENT IN KIPSIGIS ‘TUMDO’ SONGS DOMINIC KIPKOECH NGETICH A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENTOF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN LITERATURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI. OCTOBER 2014 ii Dedication For my parents, who took me to school and allowed me to go through the traditional rite of tumdo which provided a base to my study on the Kipsigis tumdo songs; my wife Gladys, who gave me the much needed moral and material support and my chidren, Kibet and Cherono whose future knowledge of Kipsigis community is shaped by this study. iii Acknowledgements I am greatly indebted to my supervisors, Professor Wanjiku Mukabi Kabira and Dr Miriam Musonye for the time they spared for my work. I appreciate their frequent advice and their critical input which shaped my study. I will always remember their understanding and patience and their general guidance which led me to complete this project. I am also grateful to all my course work lecturers: Prof Ciarunji Chesaina, Prof Chris Wanjala, Prof Henry Indangasi, ProfHellen Mwanzi, Dr Joseph Muleka, Dr Tom Odhiambo, Dr Godwin Siundu,Dr Jennifer Muchiri, Dr Alina Rinkanya, Dr Miriam Musonye and Dr Masumi Odari, whose lessons set a foundation for this work. Last but not the least I would like to thank my family for the support they provided throughout the period of my MA studies. These include Vincent who provided me with a computer, Joyce and her husband Raymond Osoro who accommodated me during my stay in Nairobi and all whose moral and material support went along way in ensuring that I completed this work on time. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Declaration ......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv Abstract .............................................................................................................................. ix Chapter One: Introduction and Context of the Study ......................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Definition of Terms.................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Objectives of the Study .............................................................................................. 7 1.4 Hypotheses ................................................................................................................. 8 1.5 Justification of the Study ........................................................................................... 8 1.6 Scope of the Study ................................................................................................... 14 1.7 Limitations of the Study........................................................................................... 14 1.8 Theoretical Frame Work .......................................................................................... 16 1.9 Literature Review..................................................................................................... 20 1.10 Methodology of the Study ..................................................................................... 37 1.10.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 37 1.10.2 Research Design .......................................................................................... 37 1.10.3 Data Collection and Analysis. ..................................................................... 38 Chapter Two: Environmental Images in Kipsigis Tumdo Songs ..................................... 40 2.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 40 2.1 Background to the Tumdo songs ............................................................................. 40 2.2 Months and Seasons. ................................................................................................ 42 2.3 Tumdo ...................................................................................................................... 43 v 2.3.1 Kerotyin (The introductory rite) ................................................................. 47 2.3.2 Keyatita (The Circumcision Ceremony) .................................................... 48 2.3.3 Labetab Eun (The Cleaning of hands) ....................................................... 49 2.3.4 Ketienjin (Singing for ‘them’) .................................................................... 50 2.3.5 Kayaet (The swinging Ceremony) ............................................................. 51 2.4 Tumdo and its relationship with the environment. ................................................... 51 2.5 Attitudes towards Animals, Plants and Topography ................................................ 52 2.6 Significance of Environmental images in Kipsigis tumdo Songs ............................ 58 2.6.1 Plant Imagery ............................................................................................. 59 2.6.1.1 The Pordocarpus tree (Saptet) as an image of the Supreme Being ......... 61 2.6.1.2 Kelyot tree as an image of fertility .......................................................... 63 2.6.1.3 Ketiiyot grass as an image of Favourable Weather conditions. .............. 64 2.6.1.4 Bamboo plant as an image of Strength and Endurance ........................... 66 2.6.1.5 Chepkomon thorn plant as an image of human conflict .......................... 70 2.6.1.6 Kelyot tree as an image of beauty ........................................................... 71 2.6.1.7 The Palm tree branch as an image of Authority ...................................... 73 2.6.1.8 Lelechwet tree as an image of home ....................................................... 75 2.6.1.9 Grass as an image of refuge and safety ................................................... 76 2.6.2 Topographical images ................................................................................ 77 2.6.2.1 Grazing place as an image of responsibility ............................................ 77 2.6.2.2 Water as an image of Transition .............................................................. 78 2.6.2.3 Hill as an image of home ......................................................................... 79 2.6.2.4 Water as an image of life ......................................................................... 81 2.6.2.5 Rocky area as an image of home ............................................................. 82 2.6.2.6 Forest as an image of home ..................................................................... 83 vi 2.6.2.7 Route as an image of Lineage ................................................................. 84 2.6.3 Animal imagery. ......................................................................................... 84 2.6.3.1 Rhino as an image of Power .................................................................... 86 2.6.3.2 Elephant as images of strength ................................................................ 86 2.6.3.3 The hare as an image of wit and intelligence .......................................... 87 2.6.3.4 Interit (Squirrel) as an image of Satisfaction ........................................... 88 2.6.4 Images of Birds .......................................................................................... 88 2.6.4.1 The Ostrich as an image of fierceness ..................................................... 88 2.6.4.2 Mashelelet bird as an image of freedom. ................................................ 90 2.6.4.3 Crane Bird as an image wisdom .............................................................. 91 2.7 Summary .................................................................................................................. 93 Chapter Three: The Philosopy of Kipsigis People in Relation to their Environment ....... 95 3.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 95 3.1 Issues Raised through Environmental Images in Kipsigis tumdo songs .................. 96 3.1.1 Issues raised through animal imagery ................................................................... 97 3.1.1.1 Courage and Truth ............................................................................................. 98 3.1.1.2 Morality ............................................................................................................ 100 3.1.2 Issues raised through plant imagery .................................................................... 101 3.1.2.1 Religion and Faith ............................................................................................ 101 3.1.2.2 Peace and economy .......................................................................................... 103 3.1.2.3 Talent and Wisdom .......................................................................................... 106 3.1.3 Issues raised through topographical imagery .....................................................
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