African Journalism Studies

Advancing Scholarship Across the Continent

Vol. 2007 No. 1 (2007)

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Comparative Exploration of Creation Myths in Diverse African Cultures: An Integrated Quantitative and Qualitative Study

Odhiambo Gitonga, Strathmore University Mukuria Ngugi, Strathmore University Wambugu Koech, Department of Advanced Studies, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi Kinyanjui Mutua, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18853951
Published: November 15, 2007

Abstract

Creation myths are significant in understanding cultural identities across Africa, particularly within diverse African cultures of Kenya. The study utilizes mixed methods including surveys (N=300), interviews (n=50), and content analysis of texts from various sources across Kenya and selected other African countries. Data is analysed using thematic coding for qualitative insights and statistical software for quantitative data. Survey results indicate a strong correlation between the frequency of creation myth references in religious literature and adherence to traditional cultural practices, suggesting that these myths play a crucial role in maintaining cultural identity and heritage across different regions of Kenya and Africa. The integration of quantitative and qualitative methods has provided deeper insights into the significance of creation myths within African cultures, revealing themes such as cosmology, cultural continuity, and religious influence. Future research should explore longitudinal data to understand how these mythological narratives evolve over time in various African contexts, and consider intercultural comparisons to identify universal or regional-specific elements.

How to Cite

Odhiambo Gitonga, Mukuria Ngugi, Wambugu Koech, Kinyanjui Mutua (2007). Comparative Exploration of Creation Myths in Diverse African Cultures: An Integrated Quantitative and Qualitative Study. African Journalism Studies, Vol. 2007 No. 1 (2007). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18853951

Keywords

African geographyqualitative inquiryquantitative analysiscultural identitymyth theory

References