John De’mathew the King of Imagery in Gikuyu Songs: In Comparative Perspective with Queen Jane and Kamande Wa Kioi

Abstract

The purpose of the article was to describe and explain imagery in the selected contemporary Gikuyu songs. Imagery is a common literary device used in African oral performance to enhance communication by creating visual images in the minds of listeners. Contemporary Gikuyu song artists have significantly employed the genre in their music, John De’Mathew taking centre stage in this arena. Use of imagery, however, may lead to difficulties in comprehension due to the multiple interpretations that may be assigned to each of them. Some of the interpretations may introduce properties which are not part of the language user's mental representation. The study used conceptual analysis and interpretation of the texts to identify imagery and its meaning in the three selected songs by John De Mathew. The study was anchored within the theoretical pillars of Stylistic Theoretical Approach (STA) and Ethno-poetics Theoretical Approach (EPTA), and employed a descriptive research design. Primary data was collected from three Gikuyu songs, and the identified metaphors were then categorised and their meaning interpreted. The study concludes that John De’Mathew has significantly employed imagery in his music compared to his peer contemporary composers; hence, he deserves the Title 'King of Imagery.'