Discourse, gender, and power : a critical discourse analysis of Runyankore-Rukiga marriage songs among the Bakiga

Abstract

This study examines how gender relations are represented in Runyankore-Rukiga marriage songs. Runyankore-Rukiga marriage songs contain messages that have inherent gender constructions in their lyrics, embedded in various linguistic devices. The study explores linguistic devices in Runyankore-Rukiga marriage songs and how they influence gender power relations. In addition, the study examines the way specific linguistic devices construct gender identity. The study further explicates how Runyankore-Rukiga marriage songs subvert gender power relations among the Bakiga. I applied Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as a theoretical framework and methodological approach to study the relationship between discourse, gender, and power as depicted in these marriage songs. The majority of the songs analysed in the study were recorded during give-away ceremonies, while some audio songs were obtained from music studios in Kabale Municipality. Recorded video songs were obtained from individuals, and additional songs were got from YouTube. I purposively selected 36 songs that contained gendered discourses for analysis out of 56 songs collected. The study findings show that through the application of different linguistic devices, Runyankore-Rukiga marriage songs act as a tool which complicates gender power relations. On one hand, the study reveals that linguistic items and choices used in Runyankore-Rukiga marriage songs largely depict or represent the feminine gender as having less power, which is mostly attributed to a woman‟s beauty and character. The findings further show that marriage songs construct women and men differently along the binary division of positive and negative, and superior and inferior, focusing on corporeal styles. On the other hand, the study shows that marriage songs possess subversive power to overturn the assumed and dominant way they construct gender, and if ingeniously used, they can go a long way in changing patriarchal discourses and power. The study points to the need for Runyankore-Rukiga marriage song composers and singers, both male and female, to work together in composing and promoting counter-power and counter-ideology songs that are intended to subvert patriarchal discourses and advocate gender equality among the Bakiga.