Portrayal of Disability through Personal Names and Proverbs in Kenya; Evidence from Ekegusii and Nandi

Abstract

This paper discusses perceptions of disability as portrayed in the Abagusii and Nandi communities of Kenya. It is motivated by the need to show that many existing studies uphold blanket generalisations on disability and subsequently do not cater for different cultural views. For instance, existing literature is replete with cases describing the social stigma a attached to disability which compounds the social handicap of the disabled person. However, inquiries on disability among the Abagusii and Nandi communities imply that the social stigma is not always attached to one on the basis of her/his disability; rather, on one’s potential to function as a member of the society. From the analysed data, it is clear that an understanding of the concept, causes and treatment of disability entails a holis-tic mastery of the cultural beliefs concerning relationships of man, nature and the universe