Shifting Abagusii Cultural Identities in Christopher Monyoncho’s Popular Poetry

Abstract

This study titled "Shifting AbaGusii Cultural Identities in Christopher Monyoncho's Popular Poetry" examined how AbaGusii cultural identity was constructed in Monyoncho's popular poetry. It analysed the manifestation of cultural identity in each text, where the historical perspective emerged against the opposing forces of modernity. The study aimed to locate the historical context of AbaGusii cultural identity in Monyoncho's poetry, construct the primordial cultural identity of AbaGusii, foreground the transient and evolving identities among AbaGusii, and canvass the hybrid identities present in Monyoncho's selected popular poetry. Cultural identity theory and literary stylistics theory were employed to unveil, discuss, and analyse the different cultural identities in Monyoncho's poetry. Qualitative exploratory research design was adopted. The poetry was purposively sampled using the inclusive and exclusive criteria on basis of cultural values such as responsibility, industry, collaboration, justice, bravery, among others. Secondary data was sourced from books, journals, theses, and YouTube. Data collection methods included listening, grouping, recording, translation, and classification into analysable units. Data analysis and presentation were guided by the aforementioned theories. The study found that the historical context of AbaGusii cultural identity was characterised by Gusii cosmology and worldview, the construction of kinship and sense of belonging, the Gusii naming system, household and clan systems, the construction of the other, essentialising a sense of ethnic security, Gusii cultural pride and prestige, and modernity and transient cultural identity. The study also found that the construction of the Gusii primordial cultural identity involved primordial territorial appropriation and locality of birth, bonds of blood and common ancestry, cultural identity as a social construct, primordial attachment to language and spirituality, primordial othering, imperialism, adversity, and change such as urbanisation and globalisation. Finally, Monyoncho's poetry presentation featured a fusion of traditional and modern aspects: Benga poetry, Obokano or lyre poetry, incorporation of greetings during presentation of poetry, fusion of Benga, rhumba, soukous beats, the chorus, speech, and drama. The study is a literary exegesis of Monyoncho‟s shifting AbaGusii cultural identities. The study concluded that the popular poetry of Christopher Monyoncho has successfully demonstrated that the Gusii culture is a hybrid identity which on one hand retains a very strong primordial identity irrespective of the onslaught of modernity which demonstrates sufficient change and evolution. It is recommended that further research to explore the impact of cultural dynamics on the traditional culture and between hybridity and modernity which of the identities has more effect on the shifting AbaGusii cultural identities.