THEATRICAL ELEMENTS IN NAKENYARE FESTIVAL OF THE CHAMBA LEKO PEOPLE OF ADAMAWA STATE OF NIGERIA DANBELLO IBRAHIM AHMADU M88F/28572/2014 RESEARCH THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF CREATIVE ARTS, FILM AND MEDIA STUDIES IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (THEATRE ARTS) OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY. FEBRUARY, 2018 DECLARATION I hereby declare that this thesis is my original work and has not been presented to any other University or College for a Degree or any other award. SIGNATURE_______________________________DATE_______________________ NAME: Danbello Ibrahim Ahmadu REG NO: M88F/28572/2014 Department of Film and Theatre Arts DECLARATION BY SUPERVISORS This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as University Supervisors. Name: Dr. John Mugubi Department of Film and Theatre Arts Signature _______________________________Date____________________________ Name: Prof. Oluoch Obura Department of Literature Signature _______________________________Date_____________________________ ii DEDICATION To God Almighty who is my shepherd and whose love and care has been my inspiring force. “Surely Jehovah‟s goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the lord forever.” Amen. Psalm 23 iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT All praise and thanks to Almighty God Jehovah for giving me the strength, courage, and determination to carry out this work. My gratitude goes to Dr. John Mugubi, my first supervisor, whose suggestions, understanding, constructive criticism, interrogations and indefatigable efforts, helped bring the research work to its success. Sir, you are indeed an academic mentor, I will forever remain grateful. I wish to appreciate and express my gratitude to my second supervisor in the person of Prof. Oluoch Obura for his patience, scholastic suggestions, academic diligence; and positive corrections during the course of this research work. Thank you and God bless you all. My special thanks to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) in conjunction with Plateau State University, Bokkos. (PLASU) for supporting my doctoral studies. And to my Research Assistants Emmanuel Sammani, Beatrice Taparki, Gapsiso Ferdinand, Philip Jalo, Jamila Benzees, I say a big thank you to you all. My sincere appreciation goes to the following staff of Kenyatta University: Dr. Shikuku, my able Chairman, Dr. Zipporah Okoth, Mr. Shapaya, Gabu, Mukami, Ms. Veronicah, Mr. Opondi, Ms Susan, Mrs Anne Mungai, Madam Norah, Ms Suki, and a host of others. Thank you all for making my stay wonderful at Kenyatta University, Nairobi- Kenya. iv I also want to appreciate the following staff of PLASU for their prayers and show of love: Prof. Thomas V. Anpe, Mrs Otteh, Joshua Dakogol, Prof. Idoko, Mrs Idoko, Mrs Lynda Shut, Mrs Dajen Dorkat, Mr. Tony Lart, Mr Ralf, Madam Zainab, Miss Martina, Mrs Yop and lastly, my humble HOD, Dr. Ossai. I also want to extend my deep and sincere appreciation to my lovely and caring wife Mrs. Nandi Danbello and my kids Izek Su‟ukamari, Temlari and Su‟umomsiri for their patience and support all through my studies. My special gratitude goes to my friends and Brothers Dr. Festus Idoko, Dr. Victor, Dr. Pomak and Dr. Ahijo for both taking out time to proof read my thesis and Samari Henry for typing the whole work. Special thanks to: my mother, Dr. M.J. Lucas, Mrs. Ayuba, siblings, Mother in- law, my wife‟s siblings and host of others who have in one way or the other, contributed in prayers and encouragement to the fulfillment of my studies. My special appreciations goes to the following people, Felix, Bako Wushiba, Mondi, Sarah Nenpo, Furaira, Ibrahim, Gambo and Sulaiman. A big thank you to my pals Moi, Pastor Steve, Ann, Mary, Lois and many more not mentioned here, you are deeply appreciated; thank you all for being my friends in Nairobi. v TABLE OF CONTENTS: DECLARATION ........................................................................................................................................ ii DEDICATION ........................................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ......................................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS: ......................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF PICTURES: ............................................................................................................ xiii OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS ...................................................................... xv ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ xvi CHAPTER ONE ......................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background of the Study .................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Brief History of Chamba People ........................................................................................ 9 1.3 Statement of the Research Problem ........................................................................... 14 1.4 Research Objectives .......................................................................................................... 15 1.5 Research Questions ...................................................................................................... 15 1.6 Research Assumptions ...................................................................................................... 15 1.7 Significance and Justification of the Study ..................................................................... 16 1.8 Scope of the Study ............................................................................................................. 17 1.9 Literature Review .............................................................................................................. 18 1.10 Review of Related Literature ......................................................................................... 23 1.10.1Conceptual Definition of Festival .................................................................................................. 32 1.10.2 Types of Festivals ........................................................................................................................... 35 1.10.3 Functions of a festival .................................................................................................................... 37 vi 1.10.4 Performance: An outline ............................................................................................................... 38 1.11 Theoretical Framework .................................................................................................. 41 1.11.1 Performance Theory ...................................................................................................................... 41 1.11.2 Ritual Theatre Theory ................................................................................................................... 42 1.12 Research Method ............................................................................................................. 45 1.12.1 Research Location .......................................................................................................................... 45 1.12.2 Population of the Study ................................................................................................................. 45 1.12.3 Sampling techniques and Sample Size ......................................................................................... 46 1.12.4 Methods of data collection ............................................................................................................. 47 1.12.5 Data Collection Techniques........................................................................................................... 47 1.12.6 Data Presentation and Analysis .................................................................................................... 48 1.12.7 Ethical considerations .................................................................................................................... 49 1.12.8 Reliability and Validity .................................................................................................................. 50 CHAPTER TWO ...................................................................................................................................... 52 THE DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF (VAN BARUMA) NAKENYARE PERFORMANCE OF THE CHAMBA LEKO PEOPLE ........................................................................................................... 52 2.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 52 2.1 Rituals and Performance in Chamba Leko Tradition ................................................... 53 2.2 Descriptive analysis of Van Baruwa: Nakenyare Performance .................................... 55 2.3 Nakenyare Festival as a Tool for Cultural Transmission in Chamba Leko Nation ... 61 2.4 Semiotics of Nakenyare Festival