Tales, Tropes, and Transformations: The Performance of Gusaba no Gukwa in Rwanda
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Ohio University / OhioLINK
2013
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1386338407 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ohiou13863384072021-08-03T06:20:51Z Tales, Tropes, and Transformations: The Performance of Gusaba no Gukwa in Rwanda Lawson, Shannon L. African Studies Sub Saharan Africa Studies Communication Rwanda gusaba no gukwa communication wedding ceremony ritual rhetorical performance tales transformations Using methods from communication studies, performance studies, and anthropology to craft an ethnographic portrait of gusaba no gukwa, I explored the significance of gusaba no gukwa wedding ceremonies. I used an integrated qualitative research design that combines participant observation, in-depth interviews, and rhetorical analysis of themes, tropes, and forms. I attended thirty wedding ceremonies, thirteen of which were gusaba no gukwa ceremonies, conducted formal interviews with three wedding speakers, three married couples, a retired Methodist minister, a Kigali business woman, and I had numerous informal conversations with Rwandans about weddings. Through my exploration of the rhetorical performance of wedding speakers, who present an oral battle of wits designed to challenge and test the groom's family and their ability to remain cool under pressure and the tropes or ritual practices associated with key symbols of beer, cows, and milk, I demonstrate how strong ties of friendship and family are achieved through powerful communicative acts that present daily reminders of social bonds. In the Rwandan context, gusaba no gukwa transforms youth into adults, creates bonds between families, and unifies communities, while simultaneously transforming a single story of Rwanda's genocide into many stories about Rwandese creativity, resilience, and joy. 2013 English text Ohio University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1386338407 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1386338407 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
African Studies Sub Saharan Africa Studies Communication Rwanda gusaba no gukwa communication wedding ceremony ritual rhetorical performance tales transformations |
| spellingShingle |
African Studies Sub Saharan Africa Studies Communication Rwanda gusaba no gukwa communication wedding ceremony ritual rhetorical performance tales transformations Lawson, Shannon L. Tales, Tropes, and Transformations: The Performance of Gusaba no Gukwa in Rwanda |
| author |
Lawson, Shannon L. |
| author_facet |
Lawson, Shannon L. |
| author_sort |
Lawson, Shannon L. |
| title |
Tales, Tropes, and Transformations: The Performance of Gusaba no Gukwa in Rwanda |
| title_short |
Tales, Tropes, and Transformations: The Performance of Gusaba no Gukwa in Rwanda |
| title_full |
Tales, Tropes, and Transformations: The Performance of Gusaba no Gukwa in Rwanda |
| title_fullStr |
Tales, Tropes, and Transformations: The Performance of Gusaba no Gukwa in Rwanda |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Tales, Tropes, and Transformations: The Performance of Gusaba no Gukwa in Rwanda |
| title_sort |
tales, tropes, and transformations: the performance of gusaba no gukwa in rwanda |
| publisher |
Ohio University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2013 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1386338407 |
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AT lawsonshannonl talestropesandtransformationstheperformanceofgusabanogukwainrwanda |
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