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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Problems of literary genres in Swahili
Author:Ohly, R.ISNI
Year:1968
Periodical:Africana Bulletin
Issue:9
Pages:67-74
Language:English
Geographic term:East Africa
Subjects:Swahili
literature
Abstract:Names of literary genres in the Swahili literature are not well defined. The lack of precise terminology is more apparent in the field of prose writing though even in the poetry denominations are often too vague to make class-divisions sharp and clear. Instances can be found in L. Harries' standard university handbook of Swahili poetry. The author of this paper discusses only the names of different prose genres found in the Swahili literature. Those names are ambiguous and need scrutiny. The A.'s aim is to reach an optimum degree of accuracy and precision which is prerequisite to any literary research in Swahili. There are 8 basic denominations for different genres of narrative prose in Swahili: hadithi, hekaya, kisa, ngano, kioja, habari, simo, mastmulizi. Although several names and terns are enumerated, their meanings overlap. The A, compares the names of genres as they have been interpreted by the chief Swahili dictionaries, defines their actual literary use and examines their etymological origin in order to propose a more accurate terminology. Notes.
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