Abstract:
Studies on Kusaal literary works reveal that there is insufficient scholarly works on
Kusaal oral literature. This research centers on a literary appreciation of fixed Kusaa clan
appellations. Fixed Kusaa clan appellations are considered as oral forms of expression
which have been handed from generation to generation and underscore the beginnings,
philosophies and oral histories of such clans. Each Kusaa clan has only one fixed
appellation that points to their forebears. The study examines the scheme/form, literary
devices and common themes found in these appellations with a view to stirring interest
in the study of appellations as well as documenting them as indispensable cultural assets
for posterity. Using the social constructionist and the structuralist theories, the researcher
collected 24 fixed Kusaa clan appellations from presentations on radio programmes,
interview schedules, participant and non-participant observations. Of the 24 appellations
collected, the forms of five of these are analyzed in detail while themes and literary
devices common to all of them are also examined. The study finds that Kusaa appellations
are expressions used to elevate persons or things as well as provide details about shared
ancestry and lineages. Equally noteworthy is the fact that fixed Kusaa clan appellations
assume a scheme of having an opening, continuation or body and end parts. Overall, a
rich tapestry of literary devices such as parallelism, repetition, metaphor, metonymy, pun,
anaphora, paradox, irony, among others are embedded in the appellations. Fascinating
themes about bravery, hospitality, contentment, self-respect, courage and gender roles
that are worthy of shaping the lives of the people, are also found in fixed Kusaa clan
appellations
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF GUR-GONJA EDUCATION,
COLLEGE OF LANGUAGES EDUCATION, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL
OF GRADUATE STUDIES, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY
(GHANAIAN LANGUAGE STUDIES-KUSAAL)
IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA.