Hegemonic Masculinity in Song Lyrics of Webuye Jua Kali Band, Kenya

Jackline Khakasa Muchenje*, Dr. Sheila Wandera-Simwa and Prof. James Ogolla Onyango Laikipia University, Kenya
*Corresponding author: jkhakasa09@gmail.com

Received October 21, 2018; Revised November 25, 2018; Accepted November 29, 2018

Abstract: This paper investigates hegemonic masculinity in the song lyrics of Jua kali band from Webuye, Kenya. Hegemonic masculinity is made up of attributes that define who real men are. These attributes originate from the cultural background. Songs interpret the life of the musicians and thus an interpretation of musicians’ cultural background. The data comprised of two song lyrics, ‘mama mzazi’ and ‘Khalikha’. The two songs were chosen purposively. The researchers chose the songs due to their popularity and also due to their discourses that lead to hegemonic masculinity. The two songs were selected from two different albums each consisting of five songs. The referential, predicational, perspectivation and intensifying and mitigation strategies from Discourse Historical Approach (DHA) were used to analyze data. The strategies analyzed data by answering four questions in each song lyric: How are men referred to linguistically? What traits are attributed to them? From what point of view are the attributes made? Are the utterances articulated overly or mitigated? From the study, it was observed that men justify their status as real men through the subordination of women. Men possess reputable positions and human traits while women are viewed as servants and an embarrassment to the society.