Tugen culture and art: A critical study of Tugen mother language (form) in preservation of Tugen cultural identity

Abstract

This paper examines and analyses the use of Tugen's mother language, which is explicitly manifested in both verbal and nonverbal communication. To understand the Tugen culture, it is imperative to examine the deeper and hidden meanings expressed in the use of the Tugen mother language as an integral part of Tugen culture in the preservation of its cultural identity. A superficial use of Tugen's mother language will lead to a misinterpretation of Tugen cultural identity. The study discusses the use of Tugen's mother language in instilling a set standard of behaviour being expressed in art (nonverbal communication, e.g. models, symbolism, magical objects, ceremonial dance, etc.) and beliefs/spiritual, physical, social and ideational environment (verbal communication). This study is intended to enhance knowledge, skills and countless norms guiding people’s way of interactions and coping with the ideational environment by identifying norms affecting knowledge, rituals, ideas, magic, and emotions which are being shared by the Tugen people so as to cope with the various and numerous demands of life. Therefore, the Tugen mother language forms an integral part of the modern educational system. The paper concludes that without a proper understanding of the deeper and hidden use of Tugen's mother language, it will result in the misrepresentation of Tugen culture, and that the proper use of the Tugen mother language will also lead to protection, provision and treatment against the exigencies of life experienced in the physical and spiritual world, especially in handling stressful life challenges to the "known meaningful" worldview of the Tugen people.