PRESERVING LANGUAGE THROUGH CULTURAL PRACTICES: A PATH TO LINGUISTIC REVITALISATION AMONG THE CIGOGO COMMUNITY IN TANZANIA

Authors

  • James Tennyson Mwaipyana Institute of Accountancy Arusha, Tanzania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejlll.v10i3.722

Keywords:

language, cultural practices, linguistic revival

Abstract

This study assessed the preservation of language through cultural practices for linguistic revitalisation among the Cigogo community in Tanzania. The study was purely qualitative, whereby three major tools were used for data collection and analysis, including Coopers Accounting Scheme, in-depth interviews, and observation. Major themes were summarised into ngoma, lullabies, storytelling and riddles. The results revealed that cultural practices among the Cigogo community are instrumental in maintaining linguistic heritage by embedding language within storytelling and traditional arts, ensuring its transmission and vitality across generations. Therefore, the study recommends that to save Cigogo, it should champion the contexts that give it a soul, ensuring that the stories, songs, and sayings continue to be the discursive threads that weave the community together.

Author Biography

  • James Tennyson Mwaipyana, Institute of Accountancy Arusha, Tanzania
    James Tennyson is an Assistant Lecturer at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA) and a PhD candidate at the Open University of Tanzania. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Linguistics as well as a Bachelor's degree. His research interests center on language studies and communication skills, with a particular focus on their application within academic and professional contexts.

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Published

2026-07-20

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 3 (2026)

Section

Articles