Gender Identity in Gusii Nuptial Oral Poetry

Mercy Nyaboe Obike; Catherine Muhoma; Jane Bwonya

doi:10.37284/eajass.8.2.3089

Mercy Nyaboe Obike Maseno University
Catherine Muhoma, PhD Maseno University
Jane Bwonya, PhD Maseno University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37284/eajass.8.2.3089

Keywords: Gender Identity, Gender Roles, Nuptial Oral Poetry, Gusii Culture, Social Norms

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Abstract

This study delves into the construction and representation of gender identity within Gusii nuptial oral poetry, focusing on how cultural ideals of femininity and masculinity are conveyed through metaphors, imagery, and symbolic language. Rooted in East African oral traditions, the research employs Conceptual Metaphor Theory and feminist literary theory to critically analyze the intersection of culture and identity. Findings reveal that metaphors such as "sweet banana" and "fertile soil" encapsulate the Gusii community's perspectives on gender roles, highlighting the oral tradition's role in preserving and transmitting cultural norms. By engaging with Oyeronke Oyewumi’s critique of gender as a Western construct, this study contributes to broader conversations on oral literature, identity, and cultural heritage in East Africa

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