Politeness a Critical Aspect in Bukusu Traditional Circumcision Songs

Abstract

Bukusu are among the seventeen tribes of the Luhya Bantu found in western region of Kenya. They are the largest tribe of the Luhya referring to themselves as Babukusu and account for about 34% of the entire Luhya population speaking Bukusu dialect. They practice male circumcision which as a cultural undertaking is held in high esteem by every male child. Circumcision initiation ceremony is spaced about two years apart with certain circumcision songs being an integral part of the entire process before, during and after the actual cutting is done. In essence circumcision songs portray an aspect politeness for they act as a carriage of salient and most critical messages not only to the initiates but to the entire community at large. The language in these songs is always highly coded and it behoves every targeted member of this group of the Luhya tribe to interpret these songs. Since these songs are functional in nature, aspects of politeness are unequivocally exhibited. The paper endeavors to tease out aspects of politeness that play out in Bukusu circumcision songs.