Templates Of Wanga Socio-Cultural Family Values In Thematic And Stylistic Analysis Of Ali Akeko’s Selected Popular Songs

ABSTRACT

This study regards Ali Akeko as a producer of cultural „goods‟ whose taste and appropriation are realized in consumption. For a detailed analysis, the study used eighteen songs. The study investigated Wanga socio-cultural family values as represented in Akeko‟s songs, structuring of the message and the art in the songs. It investigated the positioning of characters in Akeko‟s songs and the values the characters espouse. Data was collected through interviewing elderly Wanga people (mostly those above sixty years) and sources with knowledge of Wanga were interviewed. The sources‟ observations, comments and discussions accounted for, in part, an understanding of Wanga socio-cultural family values and strategies in Akeko‟s songs. Ali Akeko was interviewed to investigate influence of Wanga socio-cultural family values in the composition of the songs and how he structured the message in the songs. Ethnopoetics theory was important in the analysis of interpretations of socio-cultural family values as it recognizes that oral texts are deeply rooted in the culture and tradition of the performer. Ethnopoetics‟ conception of patterning was used in explaining the structuring and strategies in Akeko‟s songs. Ezekiel Alembi‟s Infracultural model was also used in interpretation of Wanga socio-cultural family values in song texts. Library research was useful in the understanding theoretical framework the study adopted and literary/poetic techniques in Akeko‟s songs. Matungu constituency/sub-county formed the site for field work as a representative region for Wanga. The objectives of the study delimited this research to Wanga socio-cultural family values as represented in Akeko‟s songs. The study found that Wanga socio-cultural family values are infused in Akeko‟s popular songs. The study found that thematic concerns, stylistic strategies and characters in Akeko‟s songs are in tandem with Wanga socio-cultural family values. Hence, the songs teach what ought to be done in contemporary Wanga community. The study recommends that Akeko‟s popular songs should be treated as reservoir of Wanga socio-cultural family values.