Abstract

This Thesis entitled ―Philosophy in the Novels written by Shaaban Robert and Euphrase Kezilahabi in the Context of Bantu Epistemology‖ investigates the existence of Bantu Epistemolgy in the novels of the aforementioned literary writers basing on the following components: witchcraft, rituals, belief on soul and death, the heart, God, ‗event, space and time,‘ birth, naming, traditional healing and land. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, the review of related literature and observations. Collection of data was guided by the phenomenological approach; while data analysis was guided by the epistemological approach. While phenomenology is commonly used in qualitative studies, epistemology is a new approach in the analysis of literary works. The use of this approach revealed that the Bantu people have their way of accessing knowledge which is through the vital force from their God. On top of that, the living elders are the sources of knowledge here on earth, as they are capable of directly communicating with their ancestors. On the limitation of their knowledge, the Bantu live in the circle made up by the vital force from God to the ancestors, from whom the vital energy goes to the living deads and the living, before it completes the circle to God again. God is the supreme source of the vital force. This is to say, one who is outside this circle made up by the vital force is unable to access knowledge on the norms of the society. For the Bantu, some one is said to be knowledgeable if he knows the nature and influence of the vital force. This is basically due to long term experince on the norms of the society accompanied by the ability to preserve or abide to customs and traditions which strenghthen relationship within the life circle. ix The findings of this study reveal that despite the existence of Western and Asian Philosophy in the writings of Shaaban Robert and Euphrase Kezilahabi, to a great extent, their writings represent Bantu Epistemology. This thesis further reveales that Bantu Epistemology is embodied within the framework of Bantu ontology. Therefore, ontology is the heart of Bantu epistemology. For this to be realistic, this study examined the way Bantu perceive the determinants of mtu (person) basing on their ontological perspectives. Also, research findings reaveal that the two writers have not ended up without revealing the actual place of mtu (person) in his society in which moral and ethical values guide his integration within his community. In relation to this, values have been analysed in three categories: religion, knowledge and good deeds. Also, it is revealed that, the two writers were guided by the two philosophical approaches to the study of African philosophy which are ethnophilosophy and philosophic sagacity as propounded by Placid Tempels and Odera Oruka respectively. Generally, the aspects from which knowledge or Bantu epistemology can be revealed have been seen to be confined in the framework of Bantu ontology while vital force is regarded as the core aspect to Bantu philosophy. This Thesis adds value to African Philosophy in general and to Bantu Philosophy in particular. The reseacher believes that this is the first doctorial Thesis in Tanzania, under the field of Kiswahili literature, which has been written in Kiswahili, and dealt with literature in Bantu philosophical perspective through the exploration of the novels written by Shaaban Robert and Euphrase Kezilahabi. This is also the first Thesis to make use of Epistemology as the approach to data analysis in the field of literary criticism. This is the new theory based on the analysis of Bantu system of x thought which can be used by others. It has provided the alternative means to literary criticism or analysis from the traditional use of the Western theories only even for the works which are irrelevant to Western system of thought.