AN ASSESSMENT OF INTERPELLATION IN SELECTED HAUSA HOME VIDEO MOVIES

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><div><p><strong><br>Ge</strong><strong>neral</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Introduction</strong></p><p><strong>1.1</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Introduction</strong></p><p>Literature is often influenced by the culture and society in which it is produced and as</p><p>the imitation of life, it creates not only serious, and substantial literary pieces but also composes</p><p>conventional and melodious works of art which more often is expected to influence, convince</p><p>or persuade the people (Kabir, 2013). It is against this backdrop that scholars like Agyekum</p><p>(2013), Chapman (1992:619), Hogins (1984), Ladyina (1976) to mention but a few have</p><p>described literature from different perspectives but all have underscored the strong relationship</p><p>that exists between literature and society. Literature deals with experience which may feature</p><p>philosophical ideas that could be presented in terms of personal experiences which normally</p><p>reflect the experience of the entire society over a certain period of time.</p><p>The term interpellation as a noun, has its root from Latin as <em>interpellare,-atum</em>&nbsp;which</p><p>means to disturb by speaking. Interpellation according to the French Marxist Philosopher, Louis</p><p>Althusser (1972) is the process by which ideology embodied in major social and political</p><p>institutions, constitutes the nature of individual subjects‟ identities through the very process of</p><p>institution and discourse of praising them in social interactions. It basically explains the ways in</p><p>which ideas get into peoples‟ heads and have an effect on their lives, so much so that they</p><p>believe they are their own. Interpellation is a process which people encounter their cultural</p><p>values and internalise them.</p><p>Hausa home videos according to Dakata (2004) are audio visual tapes or discs relaying</p><p>plays and dramas that are recorded for commercial purpose. They are purchased and viewed at</p><p>1</p></div><p><br></p><div><p>home with the sole intent of acquiring the required entertainment and education where possible</p><p>by the viewers. These home videos bring people into contact with their culture while they are</p><p>being entertained, even though interpellation could acculturate the audience with a culture other</p><p>than theirs.</p><p>Since literature mirrors the cultural and societal life of a people as opined by Ladyina</p><p>(1976), a conscious effort will be made in this study to examine the processes in which people</p><p>subject to various ideologies as depicted in some Hausa home video movies like <em>Basaja</em>(2012),</p><p><em>Mata</em>&nbsp;<em>da</em>&nbsp;<em>KuÉ—i</em>&nbsp;(2014), <em>Zee-Zee</em>&nbsp;<em>(</em>2014) „<em>Yar</em>&nbsp;<em>Mace</em>&nbsp;(2014) and <em>Mulkin</em>&nbsp;<em>Mallaka</em>&nbsp;(2014). Also, to</p><p>establish how these foreign ideologies undermine some essentials of the Hausa value systems</p><p>especially in aspects of marriage, morality, norms and values etc.</p><p><strong>1.2</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Background</strong>&nbsp;<strong>of</strong>&nbsp;<strong>the</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Study</strong></p><p>This research depicts the strong relationship that exists between literature and philosophy</p><p>as a discipline. According to Chapman (1992), literature in the real sense is philosophical</p><p>because it does not just portray the experiences of a people over a certain period of time; it</p><p>represents the mindset, perceptions, religion and cultural beliefs of a people. It is worthy of note</p><p>to state that students of literature share the desire to integrate literary experience with other</p><p>cultural phenomena such as historical change, philosophical concepts and social movements.</p><p>The study, therefore, examines the interpellative functions of Hausa home video movies</p><p>and how it undermines the essentials of Hausa value system in aspects of marriage, norms and</p><p>values, mannerisms, dressing, morals etc. Film as opined by Mohammed (2004) is designed</p><p>primarily to inform, influence or inspire. And according to Krings (2004), Film is a medium</p><p>which can be used to give life to the imaginative, to what could be, to the dreams (bad and good)</p><p>2</p></div><p><br></p><div><p>of a given society. Therefore, one finds it expedient to apply the philosophical concept of</p><p>interpellation on select Hausa home video movies. This is by examining how ideology operates</p><p>in Hausa home video movies. The unconscious exploitation of the concept of interpellation by</p><p>producers and scriptwriters of Hausa home videos deliberately or otherwise to</p></div> <br><p></p>