Dates: see schedule below
The Research institute of Swahili Studies of Eastern Africa (RISSEA) was borne out a felt need and desire to coordinate Swahili scholarship. Currently there is no Institution in Kenya and the Region that has assumed such a mandate even though great strides have been made by public universities and other institutions in the development of Kiswahili.
With the spread and development of Kiswahili as the lingua franca of the region, the institute will be the reference point for governments, schools and institutions of higher learning. In kenya for example there are moves to entrench Kiswahili to be the second official language in addition to English in the new constitutional dispensation (bilingualism).
INTENSIVE SWAHILI STUDIES
An intensive 2-10 week Swahili studies school for international and regional students. Short courses on related themes including regular workshops on Swahili studies and language. In- house training workshops tailored to the needs of individual organizations and individuals interested in Swahili studies.
MODULE OFFERED
1. Swahili Literature and Performance
Contemporary Swahili novel and play: In-depth analysis of the two genre of Literature that is play and novel in terms of-The plot, characters, themes and language used.
- Short story in Kiswahili literature.
- Swahili poetry.
- Classical Swahili poetry and contemporary Swahili poetry.
- Types of Swahili poetry.
- How to write Swahili poetry
- Language use in Swahili poetry.
- Swahili epic
- Oral Literature
- Swahili songs, dances and music
2. Swahili History and Identity.
- The study of the origins and history of the Swahili
- Swahili economy and international relations
- Spread and development of Kiswahili in East Africa and the Diaspora.
- Dialects of Kiswahili.
- Swahili and her neighbors
3. Anthropology of the Swahili
- Economic activities of the Swahili eg. Fishing, farming, weaving, dhow making, stone house building, wood carving etc.
- The Swahili way of life, (birth, marriage and death )
- Art, dressing, adornments, and other forms of creativity and personal beauty.
- Religion Beliefs and forms of worship.
- Swahili songs and dances.
4. Swahili Language will include Swahili basic (beginners) and advanced.
Teaching will be conducted on Swahili grammar and phonetics depending on one’s level of proficiency in Swahili. An entry examination will be conducted to determine the student’s level of proficiency in Swahili.
APART FROM THE FOUR MODULES, THE INSTITUTE WILL ALSO OFFER WHERE APPROPRIATE:
- Trips/ excursions will be arranged: while in Lamu a visit to Matondoni village and Takwa ruins, while in Mombasa will visit Fort Jesus Museums, Mnarani, Jumba and Gede ruins.
- Resource persons: will be invited to talk to students/ researchers on different Swahili cultural topics.
- Panel discussions male and female panel discussion will be organized where students /researchers will get the opportunity to ask questions /inquire on any issue that they would like to know or clarified about the Swahili. Hence there will be interactions between the students/ researchers and selected members of the Swahili community that constitutes the panel.
FEES AND COURSE CALENDAR
- 28 May to Friday 15 June, 4 weeks - $350 (language module), $1,000 (4 modules)
- 18 June to Friday July, 4 weeks - $350 (language module), $1,000 (4 modules)
- 9 July to Friday 3 August, 4 weeks - $350 (language module), $1,000 (4 modules)
- 6 August to Friday 31 August, 4 weeks - $350 (language module), $1,000 (4 modules)
- 3 Sept to Friday 28 Sept, 4 weeks - $350 (language module), $1,000 (4 modules)
- 1 October to Friday 26 October, 4 weeks - $350 (language module), $1,000 (4 modules)
- 29 October to Friday 23 Nov, 4 weeks - $350 (language module), $1,000 (4 modules)
- 26th Nov to Friday 14 Dec, 3 weeks - $265 (language module), $750 (4 modules)
Registration is underway at the National Museums of Kenya.
Via: nairobinow
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: contact Munira Mohammed at 0722611533 or munira@museums.or.ke
Website: http://rissea.org