Oral Poetry Questions Based on Akamba Circumcision Song
Read the following oral song and answer the questions that follow:
The Nzaiko of the Akamba
Are you really circumcising or not?
That I may enter into this home
Mother Mailu, Mailu, Mailu
Mother of child, come out
Annoit me, annoit me down to my feet before I go.
The circumcision man is busy now
The reason why, I don’t know
I am fence, I protect youth
Mother of child
You better respond to me
Rather than keeping quiet
Why are you annoyed? Are you annoyed?
Are you annoyed by my visit?
I had better examine
A gourd is inside
I had better examine.
A goat is inside
I had better examine.
Questions with Answers
(a) Briefly explain what the oral song is about. (3mks)
It is about circumcision among the Akamba people. √𝟏 Demands made during circumcision times√𝟏 e.g the persona is asking to be anointed. Beliefs associated with circumcision√𝟏 e.g cannot enter the home, the persona believes he is a fence that protects the youth.
(b) What aspects of society are brought out in the poem? (2mks)
-Circumcision among the men is done√𝟏
- Belief in superstition√𝟏– the persona says he may not enter into the home if circumcision
is going on.
(c) What evidence of circumcision ceremony is there? (1mk)
The circumcision man is busy.
The goat was inside
Persona requested to be anointed/blessed with fruits of circumcision.
Accept any one point
(d) Identify and illustrate any three aspects of style used in the song? (6mks)
repetition – Mother of child, I had better examine,( emphasis and create rhythm)
Metaphor – I am fence, I protect youth ( show strength and courage)
Paradox – The reason why I don’t know.(create humour to lighten the situation which might be tense) ( should state plus the effectiveness)
Rhetorical question – Are you annoyed? -Are you really circumcising or not? Identification √1 illustration √1
(e) Why do you think the mother of child was annoyed? (2mks)
The man who had come to eat and drink was exerting pressure on the mother of child. √𝟏
He was also interfering with people’s affairs. √𝟏
(f) Identify and illustrate two voices in the song? (4mks)
mother of the initiate – I had better examine the goat inside
A man who has come in the feast – doesn’t want enter it circumcision is going on
Identification √1 illustration √1