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Myths of origin display certain salient features that set them apart from other genres of oral literature. This paper, however, lays emphasis on the major tenets of myths of origins from the Tigania community. Sigmund Freud and Karl Jung believe that myths and legends symbolically enact deep truths about human nature. Throughout history, myths have accompanied religious doctrines and rituals, helping sanction or recall. The reasons for religious observances can also help sanction customs and institutions. Writers and speakers often turn to myths when they try to tell stories of deep significance because mythic structures touch a powerful and primal part of the human imagination. They help to concisely allude to stories familiar to their audiences by drawing on a powerful association with just a few words. Emile Dukheim"s developments in functionalism were later modified and referred to as functionalism by Haralambos and Holborn as, "the various parts of society…seen to be integrated and taken together as a complete system. To understand any part of society, the part must be seen in relation to society as a whole" (2007:856). In this way, a functionalist examines part of society in terms of its contribution to the maintenance of the whole system. This means that the relationships between members of society are organized in terms of rules and social norms which stipulate how people are expected to behave. This will entail an example of how myths of origin from the Tigania community are structured and what effect they have on other parts of this community's social, political and economic structure. Many stories fall into familiar mythic patterns and they display certain salient features that set them apart from other genres of oral literature.

This paper focuses on popular songs that were performed on Kenya's mega historical period of 2007/2008. The country experienced socio-political conflict precipitated on the winner of the Presidential race, hence the ethnic cleansing. New Historicism arrives at a deeper insight into the context of the songs. It is interested in the reconstruction of the actual relations among people at a particular time. The presidential aspirants named in the chaos, remain historical personages in Kenya. This discussion reveals the interaction between poetics and political history. The discussed poets immersed themselves in the real historical phenomena positioning themselves as spokespersons on the upheavals. The chapter is based on song-texts selected from Gikuyu artists who engaged the audience on the events.

Distance learning is a mode of study globally accepted as a tool for enhancing access, equity and quality in education. The Kenyan Government has put in place mechanisms to promote open and distance learning practices in educational institutions. However, there is doubt in Kenya, regarding the quality of academic performance attained by distance learning students. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of learner support systems on the academic performance of distance learning students in selected Kenyan public universities. The study is based on Pragmatism due to its focus on objectivity and the use of scientific methods. Mixed-methods research methodology was adopted for the study. The sample consisted of 847 Bachelor of Education (Arts) distance learning students, 149 lecturers teaching distance learning students, and two (2) administrators in charge of distance learning programmes. The research instruments consisted of questionnaires, interview guides, document analysis and the instrument for measuring academic performance. The findings indicated that a learner support system statistically, significantly and positively influences academic performance of distance learning students, although at a low level (4.9%). However, the findings revealed that guidance and counselling support, which is part of the learner support system, did not significantly influence the academic performance of distance learning students. The study recommends that particular focus should be on the provision of remotely accessible guidance and counselling services since most distance learning students cannot physically access the services which are on campuses.

Die Artikelsammlung ist aus einem Forschungsprojekt zu "Gender and Society" der Kenya Oral Literature Association (KOLA) hervorgegangen. Das Augenmerk lag auf Geschlechtergleichheit und politischer Partizipation in traditionellen und modernen kenianischen Gemeinschaften sowie auf Geschlechter(un)gleichheit und Ressourcenkontrolle. Die Forscher(innen) untersuchten, welche Rolle Frauen und Männer bei Entscheidungen in den Bereichen Politik, Recht, Ressourcenkontrolle, Erbschaft spielten. Das umfangreiche Material, insbesondere zu ethnischen Bevölkerungsgruppen, wird in 15 Beiträgen präsentiert. (DÜI-Sbd)