Gendered discourses in Kuria Female Circumcision Songs

Gender inequality is a global issue, with efforts to realise equality being hindered by sociocultural factors in different societies. Based on critical discourse analysis this paper focuses on Kuria female genital mutilation (FGM) songs to investigate how gendered discourses are articulated and social actors represented. The songs were collected during the 2014/2015 female circumcision ceremonies in Kuria, Kenya. Initial findings reveal that male dominance and female subordination is the norm; the linguistic choices made disseminate stereotypical gender ideologies while maintaining the status quo. The goal of this paper is to raise awareness of how gender asymmetries and power relations are perpetuated through discourse.