Historia na maendeleo ya riwayaya Kiswahili
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Date
1999
Authors
King'ei, G. K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University Faculty of Arts
Abstract
This paper sets out to investigate briefly the historical origin of Kiswahili prose literature a,w
traces its development up to contemporary times. It notes the most important stages that the Kiswahi:
novel has gone through and the most influential factors that have shaped it.
The discussion sets off by raising afew theoretical questions aimed at grounding the framewon
within which the exposition proceeds. Theformal and thematic concerns of the traditional "novel"
genre are delineated and the main epic stages of Kiswahili prose writing in colonial and POSI
independence eras are discussed against the background. of the unfolding literary and critical
concerns of each period with the attendant socio-political and economic dictates. Each stage ana
trend is exemplified by quotes from the works considered classical for the era in question.
The paper highlights the relative poverty of prose works in Kiswahili in contrast to poe«
writing. Secondly, the literary gap and lack of a continuum from the traditional lore to modern
prose is also explained. The undue dependence of the East Africans on literature created in Englis!
which is brought about by the skewed language policies is seen as largely contributing to the
underdevelopment of Kiswahili prose literature. An appeal is made for a concerted effort by the
political establishment tofoster a more positive attitude toward Kiswahili. Such a step will not only
promote prose writing as the language develops but also, hopefully, raise the quality of Kiswahi/i
literature as a whole.
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Citation
CHEMCHEMI International Journal of Arts and Social Sciences VOLUME 1 DEC. 1999