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Emmanuel Lema

College of Humanities

Literature

Biography

I am A senior Lecturer in the Department of Literature at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). I have ascended the academic ranks from Tutorial Assistant to Senior Lecturer through successful completion of B.A.Ed, M.A (Literature) and PhD (Literature) studies and numerous research activities. My areas of specialization are comparative literature and folklore studies. However, I have recently developed interest in Gender and Sexuality studies as an area I can devote my time and research and publish. I have researched on Ngugi' Wa Thiong'o' s writings and Folklore of Wachaga of Machame (ongoing) and recently I embarked on a project on Sexuality and identity formation in social media posts in Tanzania (still at designing stage).

Research Interest

My research interests are in FolkloreI and in Gender and Sexuality studies as an area I can devote my time and research and publish. I have so far researched on Ngugi' Wa Thiong'o' s writings and i am currently on a project on Folklore of Wachaga of Machame (ongoing).

Contacts

Email:

Projects

"Between Mountain and Memory: The Oral Histories of the Chaga"

The project explores the untold stories about Wachaga, one of the popular and the third largest ethnic group in Tanzania. Although there is a sizeable information documented about this ethnic group i.e., their identity, culture and historical encouters, there are other stories that go around and are undocumented. Such stories remain oral and have survived the winds of time and generations. The project seeks to tap them from the oral source and explore what they inform about this popular and one of the largest ethnic grops in Tanzania. This is a new project and it is at the designing stage. 

Publications

Papers

  1. “Debunking Stereotypes: Gendered Women’s Roles in Wedding Songs of the Nyiha of Mbozi in South-western Tanzania”, Journal article published in UMMA: The Journal of Contemporary Literature and Creative Arts, 2024 (co-authored with Dorcas Angolwisye Mwasunda and Mpale Y. Mwansasu Silkiluwasha)
  2. “Sexism and misogyny in selected proverbs of the Chaga of Machame”, Journal article published in UMMA: The Journal of Contemporary Literature and Creative Arts, 2021

      3. “Fictional reconstruction of History of Kilwa in M.G Vassanji’s The Magic of Saida”, Journal article               published in TANZANIA ZAMANI: Journal of Historical Research and writing, 2019

 

      4. “The Journey motif and the re- reading of Ngungi wa Thiong’o: Devil on the Cross, Matigari and                    Wizard of the Crow, A Gikuyu trilogy”, Journal article published in UTAFITI Journal of African                           Perspectives, 2018

 

Books

  1. “Testimony” in Tell me Friends: Contemporary stories and plays of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Mkuki na Nyota, 2010
  2. Students Guide to Literature, Dar s Salaam, Dar e salaam University Press. 2012 (Co- authored with Kamera. W, Msilikale. H)