Song as a Protest Tool for the Women in the Swahili Speaking Muslim Community: A Case Study of Two Interior Settlements in Kisumu Municipality
OMwai Mangari
ABSTRACT: The study explores the woman’s voice in Unyago ritual songs. Through the collection, categorisation and analysis of the thematic concerns of these songs, this study demonstrates the feelings and reactions these women have against the rigid and oppressive gender relations in their society. In essence, therefore, the study observes these songs as a necessary setting for the study of feminine empowerment and thus protest and resistance in the Swahili speaking Muslim communities. The songs discussed show the Swahili Muslim woman as one intending to aspire freedom, recognition and self-fulfilment. The songs illustrate the struggle for a new image or portrait of the Swahili Muslim woman – one of resilience, courage, aggression, strength and resourcefulness. The study employs a predominantly qualitative approach. The data collection tools used are informal dialogs, in-depth interviews, and quasi-participant observations. The study findings indicate that neither the Swahili Muslim man nor his female counterpart gains the cultural norms and sanctions that surround the gender relations in the society. The study recommends that there is a need to try to break some gender based cultural barriers by initiating activities that encourage both male and female children to understand each other.