Thesis Title : Aesthetics and Performance in the Construction of Meaning in Circumcision Songs of the Bukusu of Bungoma County, Kenya.

Student’s Name : Waswa Wabuyaka Dennis.

Supervisers’ Names :

1. Joseph Musungu.
2. Henry Nandelenga.

Abstract

This study examines aesthetics and performance in the construction of meaning in circumcision songs. A corpus of selected circumcision songs collected from Lubukusu speakers of Bungoma County was used in this study. The motivation behind the study was that prior studies gave little attention to aesthetics especially around the Bukusu circumcision songs. It was therefore imperative to examine the songs in order to unearth how aesthetics and performance enhance the construction of meaning. The study has the following objectives: To examine the context of performance, to identify the aesthetic effects of the literary language and to analyse the meanings that emerge from the performance. The study is based on the following research questions: How does context influence the performance and appreciation of the Bukusu Circumcision Songs? What are the aesthetic effects of the literary language employed in the performance of the Bukusu Circumcision Songs? How does performance contribute to the construction of meaning in the Bukusu Circumcision Songs? The study employs a blend of performance and hermeneutics theories as critical approaches to examine the context of performance, meaning and the aesthetic effect of the literary language employed in the performance of Bukusu circumcision songs within the Bukusu cultural milieu. As a theory of interpretation, hermeneutics is used in the study to locate the Bukusu construction of meaning of circumcision songs. Similarly, performance theory is used in interpreting the Bukusu circumcision songs for meaning by attending to the actual context where the songs were performed. This also helped in exemplifying the use of language in conveying meaning in the songs. This study is mainly qualitative whereby both analytical and descriptive research designs were employed because songs are performed rather than spoken or explained. The study relied on fieldwork that targeted twenty-five respondents from the target population of a hundred and twenty thousand native practitioners of the Bukusu culture who practice traditional male circumcision. The study examined songs performed during the actual Sikhebo festival. Oral interviews, participatory observation, focused group discussions and document analysis were used in collecting data. Digital recording by a tape recorder, video cameras and still photographs were used to supplement the above. In the analysis of data, an analytical framework comprising a set of pertinent questions, secondary sources of data, personal interpretation, as well as the respondents’ opinions/views were used. It was revealed that performance of the Bukusu circumcision songs takes place within specific contexts which determines meaning. Three aspects of context were evident: time, place and audience composition. The findings also showed that performance of the songs play important roles in conveying values and beliefs to the initiates. Finally, it was found that performance of the songs is enhanced by employing special literary language. The study is expected to contribute towards the understanding of aesthetics and performance in constructing meaning of the circumcision songs besides adding to the literary criticism of songs as a genre of oral literature. The study recommends for a concerted effort in restoring the context of performance so that it does not loose its place performance. The composers are encouraged to compose songs touching on emerging issues. The study also recommends for conservation of the songs due to the beauty of their literary language. Finally, a comparative study of the circumcision songs of the various dialects of the Abaluhya be undertaken to establish similarities and differences.