Uhusika Katika Mashairi Ya Kiswahili: Malenga Wa Vumba, Kichomi Na Utenzi Wa Fumo Liyongo

ABSTRACT

Characterization in Kiswahili poetry is an aspect that has been given little attention by literary analysts. Characterization in poetry does not manifest itself vividly as it does in other genres of

literature. It looks complicated because of the form in which it appears. Characterization in Kiswahili poetry is not clear. It seems not to exist in poetry yet it can be realized through other aspects. The aim of this study was to analyze characterization and portrayal of characters in Kiswahili poetry. The main objectives were: to analyze how characterization manifests itself in Kiswahili poetry, to explain types of characters in Kiswahili poetry and to examine portrayal of characters in Kiswahili poetry. The scope of this study is characterization in poetry basing on three texts: two anthologies and one epic from East Africa. In summary the scope for the research topic is portrayal of characters in different types of Kiswahil poems. The study was based on the Theory of Naratology by Manfred (2005). This theory is based on characterization and naratology. It examines how personality traits of fictional characters are constructed. According to Manfred analysis can be done by questioning, who characterizes who and is characterized as what. The study employed analytical research design carried out in the library. The study used secondary data that dealt with poetry. The method used to record data was observation, recording and filtering. From these, purposive sampling technique was used to select three texts of poetry. These were two anthologies: Malenga wa Vumba (1981) and Kichomi (1974) and one epic Utenzi wa Fumo Liyongo (1973). Purposive sampling technique was used because only the relevant texts were selected. The data collected was analyzed using elaborate explanation based on the aspect of characterization. The major findings of the study prove that characterization in poetry exists because poets compose poems based on real life experiences and not from a vacuum. The study is significant in that it will be useful in guiding analysis of characters and characterization in poetry and other genres in literary studies. The study is among the few done on Kiswahili poetry. This study will be of great benefit to scholars lecturers, teachers and students seeking to understand Kiswahili Poetry. This research recommends comparative research of characters in Kiswahili poetry and other genres in literature.