Abstract
Based on the hypothesis that poetry is a social as well as a human need, this essay of “literary ethnology” demonstrates the development of poetic genres in the Ruanda society, in correlation with the establishment of absolute monarchy at the beginning of the 17th century. The author studies the three main poetic genres–dynastic, heroic, and pastoral–which are the works of the dominant group in the society, the Tutsi, and which underline the caste structure of the society. The first genre, specifically related to the royal power, encompasses the “army of dynastic poets,” professional troubadours devoted to the task of recording the history of the monarchy. The second genre, heroic poetry, partakes essentially of the art of oratory. The young warrior, not a professional poet, sings his own feats, encouraged by his friends and chiefs. The pieces generally disappear with their composer, which accounts for the small number of examples which we possess. The pastoral genre, the third type, indicates the importa...
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
