Text-Melody Relationships: Translation of European Hymns into Dho-Luo
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Date
2002-04
Authors
Omolo-Ongati, Rose A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study addresses the problem of translation of European hymns into Dho-luo with
specific reference to text and melody relationships. It focuses on the introduction of
western hymns into the Seventh-Day-Adventist (S.D.A) church and further discusses
how the Luo performers have altered the European melodies and rhythms to fit the
Luo performance practice.
The research was carried among Dho-luo speaking S.D.A.converts of Rachuonyo
District, Kendu Bay division, using the Gendia mission congregation. A total of 30
hymns from Wende Nyasaye have been analyzed. Simple Random Sampling
technique was used to identify the 30 hymns. Primary data collection was done
through participant observation, interviews and recording tapes. There is a brief
discussion of the establishment of Adventism in Kenya (since 1906) and the history of
the three phases of S.D.A. translation of European hymns into Dho-luo. The study has
also given a detailed textual and musical analysis of the hymns sampled. The analysis
reveals the existence of distortions and irregularities in terms of syllabic accents,
speech rhythm and intonation in the translated Luo hymns. This is due to the fact that
English and Dho-luo are completely different in the way they structure their
sentences. Suggestions of possible correction of the distortions detected have been
done using the rule of parallelism governing text- melody relationship of Dho-luo
songs.
The study established that the use of hymns with translated texts and borrowed
European tunes are stylistically and culturally inappropriate to the Luo context, hence
the call for the development of culturally appropriate songs to achieve the three
components of high communication in African songs i.e. language, music and
performance.
Description
A research project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of music, BV355.E5O4