Symbolism in the Manufacture, Use, Change and Continuity of Tiriki Circumcision Material Culture (Idumi), 1850 – 2014.

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dc.contributor.advisorHenry Mwanzien_US
dc.contributor.advisorLazarus K.Ngarien_US
dc.contributor.authorSandula, Benjamin
dc.date.accessioned2024-02-02T13:25:05Z
dc.date.available2024-02-02T13:25:05Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.descriptionA Thesis Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in History at Kenyatta University, September, 2023en_US
dc.description.abstractEvery society manufactures cultural material for both practical and ideological utility. In this study, I examined the symbolism in the manufacture, use, continuity and change in Idumi material culture among the Tiriki of Hamisi sub - county, Vihiga County. This thesis also investigated the origin of the circumcision (Idumi) material culture. Idumi designates the whole series of ceremonies performed to initiate adolescent boys into an age group (likhula) Sangree (1966:20).This research was guided by the premise that the Tiriki have unique symbols used in idumi .The study was based on functionalism theory. I used Bascom and Herskovits ‘change and continuity’ concept to stress that Idumi material culture is subject to change in the process of use as culture is dynamic.The study adopted descriptive design which involves interviews, question guielines, participant observation, and focus group discussion.The research utilized qualitative methodology that involved description of what I went to find out in the field. Snow ball type of purposive sampling was used since renowned custodians of idumi material culture are few. Midrash approach was used to infer meaning in idumi symbols. The study found out that, idumi and its material culture owes its origin on the Terik. Some of the material culture in idumi still undergo the manufacturing process while some have been discarded.The cultural material integrated in idumi reinforce the desired traits the Tiriki ascribe to manhood. Though Change has caught up with material culture used in idumi, certain aspects persist. I recommend that circumcisers’ should use disposable gloves as well as sterilize their hands after every operation to protect initiates. Future scholars should examine how circumcision material symbols of other ethnic groups transform the initiates into the men society desires.Further, scholars should explore the evolution of idumi as an education institution in the transmutation of adolescent boys among the Tiriki.Lastly, since HIV/AIDS is still a pandemic, there is need to study on how circumcision or lack of it inhibits or contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipKenyatta Universityen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/27485
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherKenyatta Universityen_US
dc.subjectSymbolismen_US
dc.subjectManufactureen_US
dc.subjectUseen_US
dc.subjectChange and Continuityen_US
dc.subjectTiriki Circumcisionen_US
dc.subjectMaterial Cultureen_US
dc.subject(Idumi)en_US
dc.subject1850 – 2014en_US
dc.titleSymbolism in the Manufacture, Use, Change and Continuity of Tiriki Circumcision Material Culture (Idumi), 1850 – 2014.en_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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