Emerging Trends in the Building of Characters in Babu Alipofufuka and Dunia Yao Swahili Novels by Said Ahmed Mohamed

Abstract

Characterization is a very important aspect of any novel. It is through a character that we derive our themes, characters
of other characters and life skills. It is in this context that this article seeks to analyze the emerging trends or styles in the
developing of characters in the Kiswahili novel by focusing on Said Ahmed Mohamed’s Babu Alipofufuka and Dunia
Yao. This study had the following objectives; to analyze the functionalism of characters used in the novels and to find out
if the character description is realistic. The research sought to answer the following questions; how have the characters
in Babu Alipofufuka and Dunia Yao been developed? What is the functionality of the characters in the designated
novels? Are the characters depicted in the designated novels realistic? The study used Deconstruction and Magical
Realism theories due to their practical approaches, perspectives and analytical tools. Purposive sampling, which
entailed critical reading of designated novels by Said Ahmed Mohamed and sampling the characters was done, guided
by the study objectives. The data was analyzed descriptively since this was a qualitative research. The study findings will
benefit other literary scholars, researchers and other readers of literature.