| dc.description.abstract | This study set out to find out the relevance of the messages and styles in oral songs, narratives, and proverbs incorporated in Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) ceremonies as a tool for communication among the Igembe people. Proverbs are identified for analysis because of their brevity, cautionary, summative nature, memorability, and ability to address diverse issues in different contexts. On the other hand, the transient and resilient aspects of oral narratives allow them to respond to emerging realities in the society. The flexibility and spontaneity of oral songs allow them to address diverse issues in the contemporary issues in the community. The study is guided by two objectives: to discuss the didacticism of messages in oral songs, proverbs, and narratives; and to analyse styles used in the genres. This research is based on the functionalist theory and is used to analyse oral genres of literature by looking at the functions they perform in the life of the society. The field research was done to collect raw data which was augmented with data collected from the library. The data was collected from the seclusion sites for girls and graduation ceremonies for the initiated girls and boys using participant observation method and video recording. There were 17 proverbs, 15 oral narratives, and 25 oral songs identified for this analysis. The instruments used were a video camera, pens, and books. Analysis of data collected establishes that despite the changes that have taken place in the society, Igembe people have significantly incorporated use of traditional oral art forms as a tool for communication in ARP ceremonies in the literate society just as they did in the preliterate society. Chapter four discusses transformative role of oral literature in ARP ceremonies. It also highlights virtues inculcated and vices castigated. The virtues include being: hardworking, forgiving, patient, contented, tolerant, prudent, obedient, emphathetic, prayerful, focused, and God fearing among others. On the other hand, the main vices castigated are: thievery, abuse of drugs, sexual immorality, discontentment, laziness, greed, cruelty, naivety, selfishness, and indecent dressing. Finally, the traditions and beliefs of the Igembe people passed down to initiates are highlighted. They include: the social expectations and gender roles of men and women, knowledge about age groups, brotherhood ties, and traditional religious worship of the Igembe people. Chapter five establishes that the three genres use literary stylistic devices to enhance the delivery of the messages incorporated in them. The main styles used in the genres discussed are: mnemonics, parallelism, imagery, code-switching, repetition, symbolism, humour, euphemism, direct address, dialogue, elasticity, intertextuality, satire, ellipsis, direct address, personification, and hyperbole. Each of these stylistic modulations enhances the communication of varied messages to the initiates. Chapter six draws conclusions based on the study. First, the study affirms that use of oral genres and their styles is intrinsic and fluid in ARP ceremonies. Secondly, oral genres address issues affecting the initiates such as promoting good health practices, preservation of integrity and dignity of the youth, maintaining law and order by chastising vices, preservation of cultural values, practices, and beliefs of Igembe people. The study also demonstrates the dynamism of oral genres because they are innovatively and artistically composed and performed in order to address contemporary issues affecting initiates in an interesting and memorable way. Finally, the counsellors used to mentor initiates were of varied levels of education, professions, genders, and age. Oral literature is therefore seen in this study as a key to enhancing peace, gender, and economic empowerment of initiates with the central site being the ARP ceremonies. | en_US |
