Dholuo Orature as Fostering Equity, Acceptability, and Inclusivity: The Example of Disability

• In Event: Indigenous Knowledge of Social Justice Education: Lessons on Decolonization From Luo Language and Literature

Abstract

This chapter is inspired by a phenomenon evident in world literatures, both spoken and written, in general: the favoured, understanding and sympathetic representation of the disabled character in literature. It is the informed position of this paper that Dholuo orature, in a way, intentionally or non-intentionally fosters some sense of equity, equality, acceptability and also inclusivity (‘inclucivility’- our coinage), in regard to the disabled members of society.

Literature, in general, deals with disabled characters, amongst other themes, in a variety of ways, including them equitably, acceptedly and inclusively in society. A similar phenomenon occurs in Dholuo orature. It is evident in Dholuo narratives, songs, proverbs, riddles, idiomatic expressions and other genres in which the phenomenon of the sympathetically presented disadvantaged and physically, as well as mentally challenged personality is clearly evident.

Whereas orature texts might have an express and irrefutable message, we can gloss other messages not expressly intended by the narrator, the intentional fallacy. Besides, meaning and interpretation, as deconstructivists aver, is a never ending, open-ended, multi-layered phenomenon. Other diffuse meanings and interpretations not out rightly intended by the speaker are also plausible. This compares with the pedagogical concept of the “hidden curriculum”, in education. We may have, therefore, intended social purpose and- accidental social purpose. And this is where we place our focus on: the aspects of equity, acceptability, and inclusivity/‘inclucivility’ in regard to disabled characters.

This study anchors on a functionalist theory, of the Durkheimian and Marcel Hauss of cultural artefacts as a charter for social cohesion and stability. On the theoretical level, therefore, we peg our thinking of one of the ends of functionalism as social cohesion and organic social solidarity through the commonality of shared mental structures of the “conscience collective” and the conscience connective (our phrasing).

Matters of equity, equality, and inclusivity and acceptance, or belonging, are critical components of social stability. Our definition of disability casts its net wider and does not confine to the conventional, traditional sense of disability which centres around physical, mental, hearing, speech and visual challenges. The methodology applied for this study is a purposive qualitative sampling of representative texts from the Dholuo oral literary heritage. Ultimately, we evaluate the extent to which Dholuo orature, in its varied dimensions drives equity, equality, inclusiveness and receptivity of disabled personalities in society.

Authors

• John Midega, Maseno University
  Presenting Author

• Bryson Omwalo, Maseno University
  Presenting Author