Linguistic Expressions of Sexism In Basamia Love and Nuptial Folk Songs (Published)
This article examines the linguistic expressions of sexism in traditional love and nuptial folk songs of the Basamia community in Busia County, Kenya, and their possible implications in constructing, reinforcing, and transmitting gender ideologies within marriage and social relationships. The study focused on how linguistic choices embedded in Basamia oral performances shape perceptions of femininity, masculinity, marital expectations, and gendered power relations. It adopted the Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (FCDA) framework developed by Michelle M. Lazar, which examines how discourse produces, sustains, and challenges gender inequalities within social and cultural contexts. The study employed a qualitative discourse analytical research design. Data collection involved observing Basamia cultural performances, recording songs, interviewing cultural custodians, and analyzing traditional oral materials. Twenty-five traditional Basamia love and nuptial folk songs were purposively selected to guide the systematic categorization and analysis of linguistic expressions of sexism. After Samia’s transcription and translation into English, the songs were examined using FCDA, focusing on how specific expressions conveyed expectations around marriage, womanhood, and masculinity. The data analysis procedure involved a systematic interpretation of song texts to establish how linguistic expressions reflect culturally constructed gender relations and marital expectations within the Basamia speech community. The analysis showed that the selected Basamia songs constructed femininity and masculinity through repeated cultural expressions, particularly those related to marriage expectations, family responsibilities, and social recognition. The songs employed evaluative language, metaphorical expressions, symbolic imagery, and directive statements that associated women with beauty, obedience, patience, fertility, emotional endurance, and domestic responsibility. In contrast, masculine identities were commonly linked to authority, leadership, provision and decision-making. The analysis demonstrated that sexist language in Basamia songs frequently operates subtly through culturally accepted forms of praise, advice, and moral instruction rather than explicit discrimination. The study recommends continued preservation of Basamia oral traditions while encouraging interpretations that recognise changing understandings of gender roles.
Keywords: Basamia songs, Oral literature, feminist critical discourse analysis, gender ideology, linguistic expressions, nuptial songs, sexist language