Kiswahili Journal, Institute of Kiswahili Studies, University of Dar es Salaam, 2011
Scholars and critics have examined various genres such as poetry, drama, fiction and music dealin... more Scholars and critics have examined various genres such as poetry, drama, fiction and music dealing with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. But one medium which has been largely ignored by scholars includes daladala (commuter bus) inscriptions. Many critics seem unaware of the existence of flourishing popular African-language literatures; since they don’t fit in the paradigm, they become invisible (Barber, 1997:1). This paper examines the role of daladala inscriptions in addressing HIV/AIDS in Tanzania, especially its dialogic poetic style in discussing the pandemic. The paper builds on the experience gained by the author while riding daladala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Daladala inscriptions can serve as a medium for expressing opinions as well as concerns around a wide variety of issues in the country. A consideration of HIV/AIDS daladala inscription is thus not only relevant to HIV/AIDS literature but also presents a particularly interesting case of a wider literary phenomenon.
This paper examines how Zanzibari youth engage in hip hop music as a global youth culture. In spi... more This paper examines how Zanzibari youth engage in hip hop music as a global youth culture. In spite of the fact that, globally, hip hop music has become a youth form of entertainment and a source of income for unemployed youth, on the Tanzanian islands of Zanzibar (Pemba and Unguja) its development is still slow. The objective of this paper is to examine how hip hop music on the Tanzanian islands creates the cultural challenges and controversies in society and how the youth struggle for its survival. The paper discusses the situation of hip hop on the Tanzanian islands, where the majority of the population is Muslim, and examines youth initiatives or struggles in engaging in it in the construction of a cosmopolitan culture in contemporary Zanzibar in spite of the problems and the generational conflict. The article concludes that this struggle is also contextualized within a larger historical framework of the struggle of the Tanzanian youth since soon after independence (1960s) in shaping new forms of culture.
Women’s maxims, as well as other forms of oral literature in Tanzania, are a popular genre. They ... more Women’s maxims, as well as other forms of oral literature in Tanzania, are a popular genre. They are verbal arts that can be self-addressed or addressed to a fellow woman among womenfolk. This paper intends to examine the role of these maxims in imaging women in Tanzania. This study was prompted by the findings of previous studies regarding the portrayal of women in Kiswahili3 literature where, generally, women are depicted as inferior beings compared to men, partly due to the fact that most authors are men. Hence, we found it imperative to investigate women’s maxims that are created and uttered by women themselves. The study was also prompted by other studies worldwide on language and gender. The questions to be addressed in this paper are: What is generally portrayed in such maxims? Why do women create, use and perpetuate such maxims? How do women consider themselves in relation to men? The data of this study was collected in Dar es Salaam through interviews and observation techni...
KIOO CHA LUGHA ni jarida la kimataifa linalopitiwa na wataalamu na kuchapishwa na Taasisi ya Taal... more KIOO CHA LUGHA ni jarida la kimataifa linalopitiwa na wataalamu na kuchapishwa na Taasisi ya Taaluma za Kiswahili (TATAKI) katika Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam (CKD). Jarida linachapisha makala za lugha, fasihi na isimu. Jarida huchapishwa katika juzuu moja kila mwaka. Makala inaweza kuandikwa kwa lugha ya Kiswahili au Kiingereza.
Over the last two decades Bongo Fleva music has become a popular form of entertainment as well as... more Over the last two decades Bongo Fleva music has become a popular form of entertainment as well as a key cultural element among Tanzanian urban youth. The objective of this paper is to examine the role of pseudonyms in this musical genre in Tanzania. It focuses on how Bongo Fleva artists adopt their pseudonyms and discusses their role in identity formation among urban youths in contemporary Tanzania. The paper argues that pseudonyms in Bongo Fleva, as in various other fields, have an important role to play in portraying one’s identity, culture, characteristics, profile, actions, hope and imagination.
This paper examines the concept of the inscription of the female body, and the way language used ... more This paper examines the concept of the inscription of the female body, and the way language used by men for such inscription shows distinct difference on women compared to that used on men. Using different film clips, literary pieces, and Facebook walls, the paper looks at the social inscription of the female body and argues that such state of affairs has made the constitution of the body of woman in the media, so plastic that through language use it can be molded the way the director, writer, and the Facebook friends (read male friends) deem fit, and it is turned into a text written upon it and from which it is not discernible as a social being but just an article. Indeed, “popular” inscription of the female body in the media in general and in Tollywood films, Swahili literary pieces, and “friendly’ exchanges and comments on Facebook walls in particular, impose literal, figurative and interpretative outlook that sells the films and literary works, as it amplifies female body inscri...
This paper examines how Zanzibari youth engage in hip hop music as a global youth culture. In spi... more This paper examines how Zanzibari youth engage in hip hop music as a global youth culture. In spite of the fact that, globally, hip h op music has become a youth form of entertainment and a source of income for unemployed youth, on the Tanzanian islands of Zanzibar (Pemba and Unguja) its development is stil l slow. The objective of this paper is to examine how hip hop music on the Tanzanian islands creates the cultural challenges and controversies in society and how the youth stru ggle for its survival. The paper discusses the situation of hip hop on the Tanzanian islands, where the majority of the population is Muslim, and examines youth initiative s or struggles in engaging in it in the construction of a cosmopolitan culture in contempor ary Zanzibar in spite of the problems and the generational conflict. The article conclude s that this struggle is also contextualized within a larger historical framework of the struggle of the Tanzanian youth since soon after independence (1960s)...
Proverbs are one of the important oral literary genres in various cultures. Though in many societ... more Proverbs are one of the important oral literary genres in various cultures. Though in many societies and for a long time proverbs are regarded as succinct fixed artistic form, and authoritative which contain a general truth, wisdom and experience of the society and its creators are elders or anonymous, these characteristics are increasingly challenged today. This paper, therefore, intends to examine how Swahili literary writers and social network users participate in the creation and spread of Swahili modern proverbs1 in Tanzania. Data of this study were collected from Swahili literary works and websites. The findings reveal that the need to address and cope with today’s environment and change of worldview of the present generation are among the important factors to the emergence of the modern proverbs. It is also noted that modern Swahili proverbs are not only found among the Kiswahili literary writers and social network users, but also other people and avenues.
This paper seeks to examine how women express themselves in Swahili through household cultural ar... more This paper seeks to examine how women express themselves in Swahili through household cultural artefacts in Tanzania. The paper focuses on words or texts written on the cultural artefacts, especially food covers and hand fans. We analyze these two artefacts together due to the fact that in Swahili society they are mainly used by women at homes and they have some parallels in the content of their texts. Although these artefacts are found in various parts of the country, they are mostly widely available in the coastal areas. The data of this paper, therefore, were collected in three coastal areas in Tanzania, namely Kilwa, Tanga and Dar es Salaam. The paper uses the Semiotic Theory in the analysis of of its data. It is generally revealed that food covers and hand fans serve as an important means of communication among Swahili women. The artefacts present issues of the women while at the same time communicating their messages to a wider audience.
... only old and new mixed forms (Palmberg 2002:125). 10 Haji Bakari Simba, he used to be a tradi... more ... only old and new mixed forms (Palmberg 2002:125). 10 Haji Bakari Simba, he used to be a traditional dancer from 1960s to 1980s, interview by author 22 September 2010, Pemba Page 8. 8 ... television stations. According to Omari Mwinyi Sued who is in his fifties, ‗It is very hard ...
Over the last two decades Bongo Fleva music has become a popular form of entertainment as well as... more Over the last two decades Bongo Fleva music has become a popular form of entertainment as well as a key cultural element among Tanzanian urban youth. The objective of this paper is to examine the role of pseudonyms in this musical genre in Tanzania. It focuses on how Bongo Fleva artists adopt their pseudonyms and discusses their role in identity formation among urban youths in contemporary Tanzania. The paper argues that pseudonyms in Bongo Fleva, as in various other fields, have an important role to play in portraying one's identity, culture, characteristics, profile, actions, hope and imagination.
Kiswahili Journal, Institute of Kiswahili Studies, University of Dar es Salaam, 2011
Scholars and critics have examined various genres such as poetry, drama, fiction and music dealin... more Scholars and critics have examined various genres such as poetry, drama, fiction and music dealing with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. But one medium which has been largely ignored by scholars includes daladala (commuter bus) inscriptions. Many critics seem unaware of the existence of flourishing popular African-language literatures; since they don’t fit in the paradigm, they become invisible (Barber, 1997:1). This paper examines the role of daladala inscriptions in addressing HIV/AIDS in Tanzania, especially its dialogic poetic style in discussing the pandemic. The paper builds on the experience gained by the author while riding daladala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Daladala inscriptions can serve as a medium for expressing opinions as well as concerns around a wide variety of issues in the country. A consideration of HIV/AIDS daladala inscription is thus not only relevant to HIV/AIDS literature but also presents a particularly interesting case of a wider literary phenomenon.
This paper examines how Zanzibari youth engage in hip hop music as a global youth culture. In spi... more This paper examines how Zanzibari youth engage in hip hop music as a global youth culture. In spite of the fact that, globally, hip hop music has become a youth form of entertainment and a source of income for unemployed youth, on the Tanzanian islands of Zanzibar (Pemba and Unguja) its development is still slow. The objective of this paper is to examine how hip hop music on the Tanzanian islands creates the cultural challenges and controversies in society and how the youth struggle for its survival. The paper discusses the situation of hip hop on the Tanzanian islands, where the majority of the population is Muslim, and examines youth initiatives or struggles in engaging in it in the construction of a cosmopolitan culture in contemporary Zanzibar in spite of the problems and the generational conflict. The article concludes that this struggle is also contextualized within a larger historical framework of the struggle of the Tanzanian youth since soon after independence (1960s) in shaping new forms of culture.
Women’s maxims, as well as other forms of oral literature in Tanzania, are a popular genre. They ... more Women’s maxims, as well as other forms of oral literature in Tanzania, are a popular genre. They are verbal arts that can be self-addressed or addressed to a fellow woman among womenfolk. This paper intends to examine the role of these maxims in imaging women in Tanzania. This study was prompted by the findings of previous studies regarding the portrayal of women in Kiswahili3 literature where, generally, women are depicted as inferior beings compared to men, partly due to the fact that most authors are men. Hence, we found it imperative to investigate women’s maxims that are created and uttered by women themselves. The study was also prompted by other studies worldwide on language and gender. The questions to be addressed in this paper are: What is generally portrayed in such maxims? Why do women create, use and perpetuate such maxims? How do women consider themselves in relation to men? The data of this study was collected in Dar es Salaam through interviews and observation techni...
KIOO CHA LUGHA ni jarida la kimataifa linalopitiwa na wataalamu na kuchapishwa na Taasisi ya Taal... more KIOO CHA LUGHA ni jarida la kimataifa linalopitiwa na wataalamu na kuchapishwa na Taasisi ya Taaluma za Kiswahili (TATAKI) katika Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam (CKD). Jarida linachapisha makala za lugha, fasihi na isimu. Jarida huchapishwa katika juzuu moja kila mwaka. Makala inaweza kuandikwa kwa lugha ya Kiswahili au Kiingereza.
Over the last two decades Bongo Fleva music has become a popular form of entertainment as well as... more Over the last two decades Bongo Fleva music has become a popular form of entertainment as well as a key cultural element among Tanzanian urban youth. The objective of this paper is to examine the role of pseudonyms in this musical genre in Tanzania. It focuses on how Bongo Fleva artists adopt their pseudonyms and discusses their role in identity formation among urban youths in contemporary Tanzania. The paper argues that pseudonyms in Bongo Fleva, as in various other fields, have an important role to play in portraying one’s identity, culture, characteristics, profile, actions, hope and imagination.
This paper examines the concept of the inscription of the female body, and the way language used ... more This paper examines the concept of the inscription of the female body, and the way language used by men for such inscription shows distinct difference on women compared to that used on men. Using different film clips, literary pieces, and Facebook walls, the paper looks at the social inscription of the female body and argues that such state of affairs has made the constitution of the body of woman in the media, so plastic that through language use it can be molded the way the director, writer, and the Facebook friends (read male friends) deem fit, and it is turned into a text written upon it and from which it is not discernible as a social being but just an article. Indeed, “popular” inscription of the female body in the media in general and in Tollywood films, Swahili literary pieces, and “friendly’ exchanges and comments on Facebook walls in particular, impose literal, figurative and interpretative outlook that sells the films and literary works, as it amplifies female body inscri...
This paper examines how Zanzibari youth engage in hip hop music as a global youth culture. In spi... more This paper examines how Zanzibari youth engage in hip hop music as a global youth culture. In spite of the fact that, globally, hip h op music has become a youth form of entertainment and a source of income for unemployed youth, on the Tanzanian islands of Zanzibar (Pemba and Unguja) its development is stil l slow. The objective of this paper is to examine how hip hop music on the Tanzanian islands creates the cultural challenges and controversies in society and how the youth stru ggle for its survival. The paper discusses the situation of hip hop on the Tanzanian islands, where the majority of the population is Muslim, and examines youth initiative s or struggles in engaging in it in the construction of a cosmopolitan culture in contempor ary Zanzibar in spite of the problems and the generational conflict. The article conclude s that this struggle is also contextualized within a larger historical framework of the struggle of the Tanzanian youth since soon after independence (1960s)...
Proverbs are one of the important oral literary genres in various cultures. Though in many societ... more Proverbs are one of the important oral literary genres in various cultures. Though in many societies and for a long time proverbs are regarded as succinct fixed artistic form, and authoritative which contain a general truth, wisdom and experience of the society and its creators are elders or anonymous, these characteristics are increasingly challenged today. This paper, therefore, intends to examine how Swahili literary writers and social network users participate in the creation and spread of Swahili modern proverbs1 in Tanzania. Data of this study were collected from Swahili literary works and websites. The findings reveal that the need to address and cope with today’s environment and change of worldview of the present generation are among the important factors to the emergence of the modern proverbs. It is also noted that modern Swahili proverbs are not only found among the Kiswahili literary writers and social network users, but also other people and avenues.
This paper seeks to examine how women express themselves in Swahili through household cultural ar... more This paper seeks to examine how women express themselves in Swahili through household cultural artefacts in Tanzania. The paper focuses on words or texts written on the cultural artefacts, especially food covers and hand fans. We analyze these two artefacts together due to the fact that in Swahili society they are mainly used by women at homes and they have some parallels in the content of their texts. Although these artefacts are found in various parts of the country, they are mostly widely available in the coastal areas. The data of this paper, therefore, were collected in three coastal areas in Tanzania, namely Kilwa, Tanga and Dar es Salaam. The paper uses the Semiotic Theory in the analysis of of its data. It is generally revealed that food covers and hand fans serve as an important means of communication among Swahili women. The artefacts present issues of the women while at the same time communicating their messages to a wider audience.
... only old and new mixed forms (Palmberg 2002:125). 10 Haji Bakari Simba, he used to be a tradi... more ... only old and new mixed forms (Palmberg 2002:125). 10 Haji Bakari Simba, he used to be a traditional dancer from 1960s to 1980s, interview by author 22 September 2010, Pemba Page 8. 8 ... television stations. According to Omari Mwinyi Sued who is in his fifties, ‗It is very hard ...
Over the last two decades Bongo Fleva music has become a popular form of entertainment as well as... more Over the last two decades Bongo Fleva music has become a popular form of entertainment as well as a key cultural element among Tanzanian urban youth. The objective of this paper is to examine the role of pseudonyms in this musical genre in Tanzania. It focuses on how Bongo Fleva artists adopt their pseudonyms and discusses their role in identity formation among urban youths in contemporary Tanzania. The paper argues that pseudonyms in Bongo Fleva, as in various other fields, have an important role to play in portraying one's identity, culture, characteristics, profile, actions, hope and imagination.
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