The cultural marriage music of the Abaluhya: Song text as a mode of discourse

Abstract

In this chapter, I discuss how the indigenous marriage music of the Abaluhya takes a special role in relaying messages to the bridal couple. Through song, performers acquire special licence to use some text, which in ordinary use of the language is prohibited by the norms of the community. Data were gathered during field research and then analysed. Each song text is written in the original language (Oluluhya), translated literally into English and its usage analysed. I have also briefly discussed the emerging trends and their effect on the indigenous marriage music of the Abaluhya.