Abstract:
The psychoanalytic theory of sublimation within Freudian conceptualizations involves the
channeling of socially unacceptable behaviours into approved ones for social cohesion. The
human mind, in this context, is capable of protecting itself from painful experiences by
repressing unpleasant experiences into the unconscious and sublimating the same safely
onto socially correct overt expressions. For Freud, the repressed desires can be unearthed
from dreams. Like dreams, myths, legends and other folklore material as works of the
human imagination can help unearth the repressed desires of a people. Although repression
and its attendant sublimation act as an institution of social propriety and harmony,
understanding its underlying presence is important in the interrogation and possible
explanations of conflicting undercurrents that may be perceived in society. This paper looks
at the renaming of varying objects and ideas among the contemporary women in rural Luo
Nyanza as subversions of western feminism. The argument is that the renaming of obvious
objects and ideas within the woman’s area of socio-cultural operation is a code that she
uses to sublimate her desired expression of sexuality. The phrases used to rename
phenomena are analyzed within Freudian theorizations of sublimation as society valuation
acts, but which nevertheless exhibit underlying contestations of western feminism by the
modern Luo woman. The study focusses on one ethnic group as the issues raised can be
interpreted within their conceptualizations of gender relations that subvert the woman’s
occupation of power roles and covert suppression of the same. The phrases analyzed are in
constant use among the rural Luo women, but some have been appropriated by both men
and children. The analysis points to these as creative constructions which belie
psychological symbolisms and which can be read as contemporary strategies to resist
popular expectations by feminist liberality.
