The Swahili epic tradition and the beliefs found therein

This work considers Islamic beliefs found in the Swahili Epic Tradition. Three problem areas are dealt with in the course of analysing the Epic of Tabuka which has been chosen as a case study. Firstly, it examines the epict's treatment of historical events which are closely connected with Islamic history and beliefs especially during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad. The Epic of Tabuka is a legend of Muhammad's expedition to Tabuka during this period which alludes to historical happenings that led to the spread of Islam in many countries surrounding Arabia. Secondly, the study looks critically at some of Knappert's conceptions regarding Islamic beliefs found in his works in relation to the Epic of Tabuka. Finally, this work synthesizes the belief systems found in the Swahili Epic Tradition as exemplified by the Islamic beliefs and notions found in the Epic of Tabuka. Chapter One introduces the topic and includes a literature survey. Criticisms levelled against Knappert's works by different scholars are mentioned. This chapter also includes hypotheses and limitations of the study. Chapter Two introduces the epic chosen for study and relates the epic in question to history. It is seen that, though the epic tells the story about a war that took place between the forces of Prophet Muhammad and Heraclius in actual fact, this war never took place during the lifetime of the Prophet. The plot, however, telescopes events which took place during and after the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad and tailors them to suit a 'religious' purpose - the triumph of Islamic forces against 'tyrants and heathens.' Prophet Muhammad plays a significant role in this process which is not wholly a historical truth. The chapter ends by commenting upon the origin of Swahili Epic Tradition. Chapter Three deals with Knappert's statements on Islamic beliefs found in the Epic of Tabuka. It is intended to show as fallacious many of his statements regarding Islam found in the epic. Chapter Four synthesizes the more pronounced aspects of Islamic beliefs in the epic and points to those aspects which, over the centuries, have become conventions within the Swahili Epic Tradition as a result of which their religious significance has been pushed to the background. Chapter Five contains the conclusions of this study. Finally, since the version of the Epic of Tabuka used for this study has not been published, a summary of the epic is given as Appendix One.