Historical approach to Swahili literatures as heretofore an open question

Commentary on two papers about the theory of Swahili poetry and literature published in Kiswahili, 42/43 (1972/73), 2/1, p. 62-67 and 68-73. Consideration of methodological problems raised in the light of the development of Swahili poetry, as divided into four historical periods with further internal ideological divisions. In precising criteria which could properly explain the historical, ideological context of a literary composition, one must take into consideration the ideological function of Swahili literature and poetry vis–vis the ‘umma’ and ‘uhuru’. Refs.