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Read the Oral poem below and then answer the questions that follow. HUNGER Hunger makes a person climb up to the ceiling And hold on to the rafters It...

      

Read the Oral poem below and then answer the questions that follow.
HUNGER
Hunger makes a person climb up to the ceiling
And hold on to the rafters
It makes a person lie down.
But not feel at rest.
It makes a person lie down
And count the rafters.
When the Moslem is not hungry, he says:
“We are forbidden to eat monkey.”
When Ibrahim is hungry, he eats baboon!
When hunger beats the woman in the Koinange,
She will run out into the street in daytime.
One who is hungry does not care for taboos
One who is hungry does not care for death
One who is hungry will take
Out of the sacrifice money
Hunger will open it.
“I Have filled my belly yesterday”
Does bite with hunger.
We have to sacrifice daily to it.

  

Answers


Peter
a) Explain briefly what the above oral poem is about.
The poem is about how hunger forces one to disregard taboos, customs or any law that is set by the community
b) Mention any three negative consequences of hunger.
- It makes one break taboos.
- It can cause death
- It makes one to lie down unable to stand.
c) What evidence is there to show that this poem was originally an oral poem?
Use of direct speech – “we are forbidden to eat monkey).”
Use of repetition – “one who is hungry”
d) Identify instances of the following stylistic devices used in the poem.
i) Humour
- Hunger can make a prostitute run out into the streets at daytime although they should be carrying out their business under cover.
- It is taboo for Muslims to eat monkey, but when they’re hungry they eat baboon – who is larger than a monkey.
ii) Personification
Hunger is made to do many things – opens the sacrifice money.
e) What is the attitude of the speaker towards hunger? Explain.

He is fearful of hunger – because it makes one do taboo things.

f) What does the oral poem reveal about the economic activities of this particular community?

- It reveals that this community – they’re hunters – hunting. Monkeys and baboons.
- Prostitution – when hunger beats the woman in the Koinange…..

g) Explain the meaning of the following lines as they are used in the poem.
i) There is no god like one’s throat
The demands of hunger are overwhelming can be comparable to a god


Musyoxx answered the question on February 27, 2018 at 15:16


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