Ujumi wa Kisanaa Katika Mchongoano aa Watoto Katika Kaunti ya Embu Nchini Kenya

Abstract

This study focused on exploring and analyzing children’ s mchongoano in Embu County, Kenya. The general aim of the study was to analyze elements of artistic aesthetics in mchongoano. The objectives of the study were aesthetic realities, aesthetic figures of speech and aesthetic characters in children’ s mchongoano in Embu County. The study utilized a qualitative research design and was guided by three theories namely: Realism Theory and the theory of Aesthetic Realism which guided the analyses of aesthetic realism and aesthetic characters. Also, The Stylistic Theory which guided the analyses of aesthetic figures of speech. This research was a field study where the researcher collected data from primary school students in Embu County. The study target population was one thousand, five hundred and seventy (1570) pieces of michongoano. However, one hundred and fifty-seven (157) pieces of mchongoano were purposively sampled from the target population. The researcher used structured observation as a research tool. The study applied the criterion of aesthetic realism, aesthetic figures of speech as well as aesthetic characters to organize the data. Descriptive method of data analyses was employed in data analysis and presentation. The aesthetic elements of each listed text were identified and discussed. The study established that mchongoano has artistic aesthetics through the use of aesthetic reality, aesthetic figures of speech and aesthetic characters in achieving its performance goals. The study findings contribute to the scholarly literature in the field of children’ s oral literature. The findings also contribute in the development of and criticism of emerging contemporary genres of children’ s oral literature.