The Influence of Christianity in Swahili Literature: The Case of Bongo Flavor Poetry Prophesies
Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS),
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2022)
Abstract
The influence of religion in Swahili literature has been a centre of Swahili literary
scholarship discussions from the 1960s to 1980s. During the time, there were two
schools of thought. The first argued that Swahili literature originates from God and that
He is the first artist who transmits creative skills to Swahili artists. The second school
of thought viewed Swahili literature as a product of socio-economic human activities,
and that God has no place in it. By the late 1980s, the discussion on the place of God in
Swahili literature appeared to be concluded by a good number of scholars supporting
the second school of thought. Consequently, today scholars seem to be in agreement
that God has no place in Swahili literature. This article, however, views this agreement
as a serious oversight. Since the Swahili society believes in various kinds of gods and
religions, there is no way their literature will be free from the influence of gods and
religions. Therefore, this article presents the influence of Christianity in Swahili
literature, citing examples from prophesies of bongo flavor poetry.
Keywords
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- Agence France-Presse (AFP). 2020. Viral Videos of Africans Attacked in China. Retrieved from https:
- //factcheck. afp. com/viral-videos-africans-attacked-china-were-filmed- years-ago.
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- Retrieved from https: //www.chathamhouse.org/sites /default/files/ publications/ 2016–03–
- politics-development-tanzania-anyimadu.pdf.
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- //www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2R-ahcKaFA.
- Fisayo-Bambi, J. 2020. Tanzania: Goat, Paw Paws, Jackfruit Test Positive for Coronavirus. Retrieved from
- https: //www.africanews.com/2020/05/06/tanzania-how-can-goat-papaya-pawpaw-test-positive- tocorona-morning-call//,
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- Tanzania General Elections 25 October 2015. Dar es Salaam: Commonwealth.
- Daffi, J. 2011 December 17. Kikwete Atavua Magamba Mangapi? Mwanahalisi. Retrieved from http:
- //www.mwanahalisi.co.tz/kikwete_atavua_magamba mangapi on 27th May 2020.
- Ellington, D. 2019. Be Cautious About Prophets but Zealous to Prophesy: 1 Corinthians 14 and
- Today's Questions About Prophecy. In Hermen, K. (ed.) Prophecy today: Reflections from a Southern
- African context. Wellington: Christian Literature Publishers, pp. 174–190.
- Ferrari, A. 2007. Bongo Flavor in Nairobi: Recognition of an International Movement and the Main
- Means of Expressions for Urban Youth in Poor Residential Areas. In Njogu, K. & Maupeu, H.
- (eds.). Songs and Politics in Eastern Africa. Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota. 107–128.
- Global TV. 2019. Exclusive na Kala Jeremiah: ‘Sishindani, Kwenda Ulaya Sio Kutoboa.’ Retrieved from
- https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxA8YkO9d5A.
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- www. judiciary.go.tz/web/index.php?r=posts%2Fwebview&id=166.
- Hamis, M. 2019. Kala Jeremih: Aslay, Dogo Anavimba Aniheshimu! Retrieved from https:
- //www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQAgJzW22js.
- Human Rights Watch. 2020. China: COVID-19 Discrimination Against Africans: Forced Quarantines,
- Evictions, Refused Services in Guangzhou. Retrieved from https: //www.hrw.org/news/ 2020/05/
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- watch?v=mEU_GAAELG4
- —. 2018. America Official Video. Retrieved from https: //www. youtube. com/ watch?v=
- unJr_vzZ9Yw
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- nzCIeNhw8oe
- Jeremiah, K. ft. Walter Chilambo. 2018. Natabiri Official Video. Retrieved from https: //www.
- youtube.com/watch?v=9h2Wcmrhpi0
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- Jonijoo. 2017. Roma: Mke Wangu Anaamsha Sana! Retrieved from https: //www. youtube.
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- Mahenge, M. 2020 May 14. Viwanda 8,477 Vyajengwa na Serikali ya JPM. Habarileo, p. 1.
- Mesomapya, J. 2017 April 11. Roma Mkatoliki Says he Was Tortured by Armed Abductors. Citizen, p. 1.
- Mkonde. 2019. Viongozi wa Dini Wavutana Mbele ya Rais Magufuli. Retrieved from http: //
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- Helsinki: TUKI and Helsinki University.
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- Mohammed, A. 2019. Kala Keremiah Ajibu Kutumia Madawa ya Kulevya ''Nimekata Ringi.'' Retrieved
- from https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfFerfxZBzc.
- Morris, T. 1988. Divine and Human Action. New York: Cornell University Press
- Mtazania Digital. 2018. Shule Sita za Serikali Zapenya 100 Bora Kitaifa. Retrieved from https:
- //mtanzania.co.tz/shule-sita-za-serikali-zapenya-100–bora-kitaifa/.
- Mulokozi, M. M. 2017. Fasihi ya Kiswahili. Dar es Salaam: KAUTTU.
- Mussa, I. 2011. Mathematics Official Music Audio. Retrieved from https: //www.youtube. com/
- watch?v=I0iIhJhICrY.
- Mussa, I. 2013. 2030 Official Music Video. Retrieved from https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=--
- EjBpnR3o8.
- Mussa, I. 2014. Tanzania. Retrieved from https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdVFBOko-14.
- Mussa, I. 2017. Zimbabwe Official Video. Retrieved from https: //www.youtube. com/
- watch?v=VGBSIvxrlZs
- Mushi, G. & M. Mosha. 2017. Magufuli Awageukia Waliofoji Umri: Ni Baada ya Kuwafukuza
- Wafanyakazi Feki 10,000. Retrieved from https: //www.ippmedia.com/sw/habari/magufuliageukia-waliofoji-umri.
- Nkwera, F. 1978. Sarufi na Fasihi: Sekondari na Vyuo. Dar es Salaam: TPH.
- NBS. 2019. Government Will Translate Report Findings into Actions, Vows Lukuvi. In Chuwa, A. (ed.)
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- Olengurumwa, O. 2019. Tamko Kuhusu Matukio ya Kupotea/Kutoonekana na Kutekwa kwa Watu
- Nchini. Dar es Salaam: THRDC.
- Omari, S. 2009. Tanzanian Bongo Flavor Poetry as Popular Literature (PhD thesis). Dar es Salaam:
- University of Dar es Salaam.
- Omary, P. 2015. Kikwete ‘Abariki’ Mbio za Urais wa Lowassa. Mwanahalisi Online. Retrieved from
- http: //mwanahalisionline.com/rais-kikwete-abariki-mbio-za-urais-wa-lowassa/ on.
- Orrenius, M. & Z. Madeline. 2013. Immigrants in the U.S. Labor Market Federal Dallas: Reserve Bank
- of Dallas Research Department.
- Pickover, C. 2001. Dreaming the Future: The Fantastic Story of Prediction. Prometheus Books.
- Tanzania Daima (2012 August 24. Dkt. Ulimboka Anaujua Ukweli. Tanzania Daima, p. 5.
- Tambwe, O. 2018a. Roma - Sugu na Billnass Naweza / Sio Wema/ Stamina–Siwezi kumjibu Edu Boy.
- Retrieved from https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzdOjYJVjgc.
- —. 2018b. Kala Jeremiah: Jay-Z Analalamika Nimpigie Verse/ Mi Nataka Kuwa Rais Sio Mbunge,
- Retrieved from downloaded from https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyHv9IKcdi8.
- The Holy Bible. 1999. King James Version. New York: American Bible Society.
- Thompson, J. 2008. Prophecy Today: A Further Word from God? Does God-Given Prophecy Continue in
- Today's Church, or Doesn't It? Evangelical Press.
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- International Migration, Geneva: UN Human Rights.
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- scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/news/who-africa-to-tanzanian-president-covid-19–kits-valid
- Zagzebski, L. T. 2004. Divine Motivation Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
References
Agence France-Presse (AFP). 2020. Viral Videos of Africans Attacked in China. Retrieved from https:
//factcheck. afp. com/viral-videos-africans-attacked-china-were-filmed- years-ago.
Anyimadu, A. 2016. Politics and Development in Tanzania Shifting the Status Quo (Research paper).
Retrieved from https: //www.chathamhouse.org/sites /default/files/ publications/ 2016–03–
politics-development-tanzania-anyimadu.pdf.
Ayo, M. 2017. Roma: Walioniteka Waliniambia Nitatoka 2030. Retrieved from https:
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2R-ahcKaFA.
Fisayo-Bambi, J. 2020. Tanzania: Goat, Paw Paws, Jackfruit Test Positive for Coronavirus. Retrieved from
https: //www.africanews.com/2020/05/06/tanzania-how-can-goat-papaya-pawpaw-test-positive- tocorona-morning-call//,
Commonwealth. 2015. Tanzania General Election. Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group
Tanzania General Elections 25 October 2015. Dar es Salaam: Commonwealth.
Daffi, J. 2011 December 17. Kikwete Atavua Magamba Mangapi? Mwanahalisi. Retrieved from http:
//www.mwanahalisi.co.tz/kikwete_atavua_magamba mangapi on 27th May 2020.
Ellington, D. 2019. Be Cautious About Prophets but Zealous to Prophesy: 1 Corinthians 14 and
Today's Questions About Prophecy. In Hermen, K. (ed.) Prophecy today: Reflections from a Southern
African context. Wellington: Christian Literature Publishers, pp. 174–190.
Ferrari, A. 2007. Bongo Flavor in Nairobi: Recognition of an International Movement and the Main
Means of Expressions for Urban Youth in Poor Residential Areas. In Njogu, K. & Maupeu, H.
(eds.). Songs and Politics in Eastern Africa. Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota. 107–128.
Global TV. 2019. Exclusive na Kala Jeremiah: ‘Sishindani, Kwenda Ulaya Sio Kutoboa.’ Retrieved from
https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxA8YkO9d5A.
Gwera, M. 2020. Rais Magufuli Afurahishwa na Maboresho ya Mahakama. Retrieved from https: //
www. judiciary.go.tz/web/index.php?r=posts%2Fwebview&id=166.
Hamis, M. 2019. Kala Jeremih: Aslay, Dogo Anavimba Aniheshimu! Retrieved from https:
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQAgJzW22js.
Human Rights Watch. 2020. China: COVID-19 Discrimination Against Africans: Forced Quarantines,
Evictions, Refused Services in Guangzhou. Retrieved from https: //www.hrw.org/news/ 2020/05/
/china-covid-19–discrimination-against-africans.
Jamhuri. 2018 May 24. Hawa Hapa Wanafunzi 10 Bora na Wasichana 10 Bora Kitaifa, Kidato Cha Nne
Retrieved from http: //www.jamhurimedia.co.tz/hawa-hapa-wanafunzi-10–bora-nawasichana-10–bora-kitaifa-kidato-cha-nne-2017/.
Jamhuri. 2020 February 20. Kilichomponza Makonda. Retrieved from http: //www.
jamhurimedia.co.tz/kilichomponza-makonda/ on 28th May 2020.
Jasper, D. & S. Prickett (eds.). 1999. The Bible and Literature: A Reader. Oxford: Blackwell.
Jean, T. 2015. Deontology, Consequentialism and Moral Realism. An open access journal of philosophy.
(2015): 1–24
Jeremiah, K. 2010. Ningekuwa Rais Live Performance. Retrieved from https: //www. youtube. com/
watch?v=mEU_GAAELG4
—. 2018. America Official Video. Retrieved from https: //www. youtube. com/ watch?v=
unJr_vzZ9Yw
—. 2019. Dear God Official Video. Retrieved from https: //www.youtube. com/ watch?v=
nzCIeNhw8oe
Jeremiah, K. ft. Walter Chilambo. 2018. Natabiri Official Video. Retrieved from https: //www.
youtube.com/watch?v=9h2Wcmrhpi0
John, R. 2013 July 16. Court Adjourns in Ulimboka Case Again. Citizen Newspaper, p. 3.
Jonijoo. 2017. Roma: Mke Wangu Anaamsha Sana! Retrieved from https: //www. youtube.
com/watch?v=x-rseHn_M54.
Kabae, B., H. Ngoma & S. Sasali. 2017. Roma Mkatoliki Ndani ya Clouds 360 May 2. 2017. Retrieved
from https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxrJRsa8Xe4.
Kermode, F. & R. Alter (eds.). 1990. The Literary Guide to the Bible. London: Balknap Press.
Kubenea, S. 2012 July 23. Aliyemteka Ulimboka Huyu Hapa. Mwanahalisi, p. 1.
Lijualikali, P. 2018. Makadirio ya Mapato na Matumizi ya Serikali kwa Mwaka wa Fedha 2018/2019
- Wizara ya Mambo ya Ndani ya Nchi. Retrieved from https: //www.bunge. go.tz/ polis/
members/257/contributions.
Macha, H. 2020 February 2. Serikali haina taarifa kuzuiwa Marekani. Habarileo, p. 3.
Mahenge, M. 2020 May 14. Viwanda 8,477 Vyajengwa na Serikali ya JPM. Habarileo, p. 1.
Mesomapya, J. 2017 April 11. Roma Mkatoliki Says he Was Tortured by Armed Abductors. Citizen, p. 1.
Mkonde. 2019. Viongozi wa Dini Wavutana Mbele ya Rais Magufuli. Retrieved from http: //
mwanahalisionline. com/viongozi-wa-dini-wavutana-mbele-ya-rais-magufuli/.
Mlacha, S. & A. Hurskainen. 1995. Lugha, Utamaduni na Fasihi Simulizi ya Kiswahili. Dar es Salaam and
Helsinki: TUKI and Helsinki University.
M’Ngaruthi, T. 2008. Fasihi Simulizi na Utamaduni. Nairobi: Jomo Kenyatta.
Mohammed, A. 2019. Kala Keremiah Ajibu Kutumia Madawa ya Kulevya ''Nimekata Ringi.'' Retrieved
from https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfFerfxZBzc.
Morris, T. 1988. Divine and Human Action. New York: Cornell University Press
Mtazania Digital. 2018. Shule Sita za Serikali Zapenya 100 Bora Kitaifa. Retrieved from https:
//mtanzania.co.tz/shule-sita-za-serikali-zapenya-100–bora-kitaifa/.
Mulokozi, M. M. 2017. Fasihi ya Kiswahili. Dar es Salaam: KAUTTU.
Mussa, I. 2011. Mathematics Official Music Audio. Retrieved from https: //www.youtube. com/
watch?v=I0iIhJhICrY.
Mussa, I. 2013. 2030 Official Music Video. Retrieved from https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=--
EjBpnR3o8.
Mussa, I. 2014. Tanzania. Retrieved from https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdVFBOko-14.
Mussa, I. 2017. Zimbabwe Official Video. Retrieved from https: //www.youtube. com/
watch?v=VGBSIvxrlZs
Mushi, G. & M. Mosha. 2017. Magufuli Awageukia Waliofoji Umri: Ni Baada ya Kuwafukuza
Wafanyakazi Feki 10,000. Retrieved from https: //www.ippmedia.com/sw/habari/magufuliageukia-waliofoji-umri.
Nkwera, F. 1978. Sarufi na Fasihi: Sekondari na Vyuo. Dar es Salaam: TPH.
NBS. 2019. Government Will Translate Report Findings into Actions, Vows Lukuvi. In Chuwa, A. (ed.)
NBS Newsletter (Issue No. 48: 1–5). Dar es Salaam. Author.
Olengurumwa, O. 2019. Tamko Kuhusu Matukio ya Kupotea/Kutoonekana na Kutekwa kwa Watu
Nchini. Dar es Salaam: THRDC.
Omari, S. 2009. Tanzanian Bongo Flavor Poetry as Popular Literature (PhD thesis). Dar es Salaam:
University of Dar es Salaam.
Omary, P. 2015. Kikwete ‘Abariki’ Mbio za Urais wa Lowassa. Mwanahalisi Online. Retrieved from
http: //mwanahalisionline.com/rais-kikwete-abariki-mbio-za-urais-wa-lowassa/ on.
Orrenius, M. & Z. Madeline. 2013. Immigrants in the U.S. Labor Market Federal Dallas: Reserve Bank
of Dallas Research Department.
Pickover, C. 2001. Dreaming the Future: The Fantastic Story of Prediction. Prometheus Books.
Tanzania Daima (2012 August 24. Dkt. Ulimboka Anaujua Ukweli. Tanzania Daima, p. 5.
Tambwe, O. 2018a. Roma - Sugu na Billnass Naweza / Sio Wema/ Stamina–Siwezi kumjibu Edu Boy.
Retrieved from https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzdOjYJVjgc.
—. 2018b. Kala Jeremiah: Jay-Z Analalamika Nimpigie Verse/ Mi Nataka Kuwa Rais Sio Mbunge,
Retrieved from downloaded from https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyHv9IKcdi8.
The Holy Bible. 1999. King James Version. New York: American Bible Society.
Thompson, J. 2008. Prophecy Today: A Further Word from God? Does God-Given Prophecy Continue in
Today's Church, or Doesn't It? Evangelical Press.
United Nations. 2013. Migration and Human Rights: Improving Human Rights-Based Governance of
International Migration, Geneva: UN Human Rights.
WHO. 2020. WHO Africa to Tanzanian President: COVID-19 Kits Valid. Retrieved from https: //www.
scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/news/who-africa-to-tanzanian-president-covid-19–kits-valid
Zagzebski, L. T. 2004. Divine Motivation Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press