Tasnifu hii imewasilishwa ili kutimiza mahitaji ya shahada ya uzamifu (ph.d) katika kiswahili ya Chuo kikuu cha mount kenya

Abstract

This study investigated thematic changes in Kamba circumcision songs with the aim of finding out how they change. As the daily lifestyles change, oral literature has consequently been changing. These themes have been categorized into two distinct categories, the pre-colonial and post-colonial period. The two categories highlight two different lifestyles. During the pre-colonial period, the Kamba tradition was stable, and every community function was conducted in accordance to their traditions. During the post-colonial period, lifestyles changed and the Kamba traditions were influenced by the western culture, thereby changing the themes of these songs.The research was carried out at Nzyiitu, Kalimbui, Kaluilaa, Ngalange, Mwangea and Nzanzeni. These villages are found in Kaluilaa sub-location, Tseikuru sub county in Kitui county. The research was conducted in this area because the Kamba people living here still hold on to the practice of circumcision rites in the ever changing society. The research was guided by three theories: The Ethnography of communication whose proponent is Dell Hymes (1974). This theory emanates and inclines on sociolinguistics approach. Ethnography of communication is concerned with people‟s culture, situations, uses of language and its patterns and the functions of speaking. The second theory is the Pragmatics theory as advanced by Levinson (1983) and Horn (1990). Pragmatics theory was useful in this research in analysing the language used in the context of initiation songs, and the users of the language. The third theory which guided this research was Realism theory as advanced by Hegel (1975).This theory stresses on the depiction of contemporary life and society as it exists. To arrive at the above stated aim, thirty Kamba circumcision songs sung in different epochs in history were used as a yardstick of evaluation. Two epochs in history were selected purposively namely, before colonialisation and after colonialisation. These two periods represented other periods in the history of Kenya. Thirty songs were analysed, fifteen from each period. To get background information on the theories used by the study, and the Kamba oral literature, libraries, websitesand archives were visited. By use of participant observations, interviews and discussions, primary data was collected from the 6 sub-locations in Tseikuru Sub County, Kitui County. Using purposive sampling technique, 27 experts on Kamba male initiation songs participated in the study. The recorded data was transcribed from the CD and video cassette in Kikamba followed by literal translation to Kiswahili. The words were interpreted contextually to get the meaning in the change of themes evident in the songs. The change in themes were analysed based on the theories used. This thesis is divided into five chapters. Chapter one introduces the thesis giving background information on the topic of study, objectives and reasons for choosing the topic. It also introduces the theories used in the study. Chapter two deals with literature review. Chapter three explains research methods used in the study. Chapter four analyses the change of themes in the Kamba male circumcision songs, and the changes which the society has undergone between the two periods of study as chapter five concludes the study by giving recommendations based on the findings