This dissertation on, "A theological analysis of African proverbs about Women with reference to proverbs from Gikuyu people," is set on the premise that there is a need for a new cultural hermeneutics that will move towards the deconstruction of the wrong attitudes against African women; that are experienced through some (African) proverbs; that have continued to misinform and misdirect the society. Seen from this perspective, the study boldly proposes that there is need to move towards conscientizing the society on the necessity for a change of attitude in order to redeem it from the typecasts that do harm to the society - which, ironically, includes the church of Jesus Christ in Africa. If the idea of the change of attitude is put into reality, then the society, the study urges, will have to uphold, create positive proverbs and dismantle the old ones, which are designed to distort a woman's image. This section therefore introduces the above contention. In conclusion the study recommends that African women scholars and theologians, together with the "concerned" men should publish books that will put to public domain the "newly" published and reconstituted proverbs and reach out to those who cannot read or write in seminars and in their respective communities. Otherwise, it would be defeatist to say that we are upholding some proverbs, creating new proverbs or dismantling some proverbs without engaging ourselves in publications that are geared towards re-doing the damage that is already there. In addition, the study urges that we should, make it a habit to severally quote the "new" proverbs in our speeches and in our publications - in our endeavour to bring a new community of men and women where the lion and the goat will sit together at a Kamukunji of interaction and genuine friendliness - and where none will be harmed or made to fear. In so doing, there would be no categorisation of goats versus lions - as all will be one people of God - reflecting the new humanity that will be created by the new cultural hermeneutics. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The cross-cultural transmission of the Christian faith sustains its growth and expansion. Indeed the reception of the Christian faith is from one cultural framework to another different cultural framework. However, this largely depends on the translation and the interpretation of the Bible, which has certainly been in agreement to the way the recipient cultures conceive reality. From the time Christianity came into existence, the introduction of biblical concepts on which Christianity stands in terms agreeable to the way the recipients conceive reality continues to offer a clear understanding of the same. Indeed, this has been from the perspective of the primal worldview. However, this was not the case in Africa, where the primal worldview was demonised, degraded and anathematised by the missionary enterprises. This indeed denied the Africa converts a chance to engage with the Bible in ways they would call their own, for they conceive reality in terms shaped by their primal worldview. This study has the Glkilyfi primal worldview as its particular reference, to whom the missionaries transmitted the biblical knowledge selectively with the hermeneutical method they used. Now there is indisputable evidence that Christianity is growing fast in places where people conceive reality from the perspective of the primal worldview. To sustain and maintain this growth, the Bible ought to be interpreted and translated from the perspective of the primal worldview. This is necessary because the growth of Christianity depends on the right understanding of biblical concepts. Yet they are incomprehensible unless they receive an interpretation that is compatible to the way people conceive reality. In that case, there is need to investigate whether the former methods of interpreting and translating the Bible have adequately communicated the Gospel to African Christians. It is also necessary to investigate whether there is need for a hermeneutical method shaped by the primal worldview. This study contends that the former hermeneutical methods have not adequately communicated the complete Gospel to the African Christians. In that case, there is need for a hermeneutical method shaped by the primal worldview. Evidence that leads to the quest of a hermeneutical method generated by the primal worldview is from the history of the expansion of Christianity and from the phenomenology of religion. The primal worldview has tools on which hermeneutics can depend on, hence gaining valid operating principles. On the other hand, there is evidence from the Scripture that the interpretation of the new from the perspective of the old is possible. In that case, the old facilitates and enables the understanding of the new. The Epistle to the Hebrews is a perfect example, showing that the interpretation and translation of Scripture from the perspective of the primal worldview are possible. This will safeguard spirituality and the spiritual view of life, which hermeneutics need, and which the former hermeneutical methods seem to have jettisoned. However, the former hermeneutical methods are not all useless in the hermeneutical discourse. The hermeneutical method generated by the primal worldview can use them as servants but not as masters. Besides, the hermeneutical method generated by the primal worldview ought to have a future and significance, without which it can sink to oblivion. Two complementary aspects guarantee its future and significance. Firstly, it is its engagement with the ordinary readers of the Bible in their context. Secondly, it is in the use of the mother tongue, so that hermeneutics can be appreciable to both the ordinary and trained readers of the Bible. This is the hermeneutical method, which African Christianity must turn to with urgency to ascertain its growth. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

Contact between the Western culture and African indigenous cultures, during the Colonial era, resulted in directional cultural changes in these cultural systems. One of the Gikuyu customs most affected by this change was the rite of passage from childhood into adulthood. This study, which was carried out through the standard anthropological technique of participant - observation and focused interviews, examined the form of change that this rite underwent and the effect of this change on the Gikuyu society. Through the cross-sectional method I traced this change in three generations based upon descent from a living Gikuyu elder.The study shows that the age-grading system, the ceremonies and functions associated with the traditional rite of passage into adulthood has virtually vanished. Female clitoridectomy has been replaced by the onset of menarche as the rite of passage into adulthood. Male circumcision has lost its significance as a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood, and is mainly practised as a rite of passage from primary school to secondary school due to peer-pressure. The disappearance of the functions associated with the traditional rite of passage into adulthood has resulted in an inadequate preparation for the adult roles. The consequence has been a high rate of social problems and a widespread dissatisfaction with the current social life among the Aa-Gikuyu. / Department of Anthropology

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2012 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ruminal pH is the rumen condition that varies most. Studying the cause and effect of diurnal variation offers a means of improving ruminal conditions for rumen micro-organisms with subsequent improvements in fibre degradation, milk yields and milk composition. A research project was conducted to test the following hypothesis: feeding 6 kg (as is) concentrate per cow/day in different weight ratios, divided in a morning and an afternoon allocation, will result in an improved ruminal pH profile and a concurrent increase in fibre fermentation, milk yield and improved milk composition. The project was conducted at the Outeniqua Research Farm in the Southern Cape of South Africa. A randomized block design was used and two phases, viz. ryegrass phase and a kikuyu phase, were applied. Each phase was conducted during the growing season of the grass specie used as pasture. A rumen study and a production study were done in each phase. The rumen study used six cannulated multiparous cows per treatment, testing rumen pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, in sacco degradation of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and dry matter (DM). The production study used 42 multiparous cows, blocked according to days in milk (DIM), parity and milk yield, and cows were randomly divided into three treatment groups. The study tested milk yield, milk composition and changes in body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS). Treatments consisted of a maize based concentrate supplement (6 kg per cow/day, as is) being fed to cows on pasture in different weight ratios between morning and afternoon allocation. Treatments used in the production study were: Concentrate fed: 5 kg during morning; 1 kg during afternoon • Concentrate fed: 4 kg during morning; 2 kg during afternoon • Concentrate fed: 3 kg during morning; 3 kg during afternoon The first and the last treatments mentioned above were used in the rumen studies. Results of the rumen study of the ryegrass phase showed no differences in ruminal pH between treatment means. The time (h) spent below the critical ruminal pH, i.e. 5.8, was of short duration (2.92 to 3.42 hours). The concentration of certain VFA’s differed at times, but the differences were not reflected in graphs and data of the ruminal pH. No differences were observed in in sacco NDF and DM degradation between treatment means. Similar results were mostly obtained in the kikuyu phase. No differences were found in either daily maximum, minimum or mean ruminal pH between treatment means. Though time (h) spent below the critical ruminal pH was of a long duration (7.1 hours) it did not differ between treatments. No differences were observed between treatment means for in sacco NDF and DM degradation. Results of the production study of the ryegrass phase showed no differences in milk yield or milk composition between treatment means. The same was observed in the kikuyu phase except that milk fat was higher in the treatment group that received the 3:3 kg ratio treatment. The fact that treatments did not differ in terms of milk yield and milk composition in the production studies can be attributed to no differences between treatments in terms of rumen parameters observed in the rumen studies. Thus, feeding a higher proportion of concentrate in the morning relative to the afternoon for a total of 6 kg per cow/day does not affect ruminal pH, fibre digestion or milk production. Based on the results of both phases it can be concluded that the null hypothesis should be rejected. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die invloed van kragvoer voedingsstrategieë op rumen parameters, melkproduksie en melksamestelling van Jerseykoeie op raaigras- (Lolium multiflorum) of kikoejoe- (Pennisetum clandestinum) weidings. Die invloed van kragvoer voedingsstrategieë op rumen parameters, melkproduksie en melksamestelling van Jerseykoeie op raaigras- (Lolium multiflorum) of kikoejoe- (Pennisetum clandestinum) weidings. Behandelings toegepas in die produksiestudie het bestaan uit ‘n kragvoeraanvulling met ‘n mieliebasis wat aan koeie op weidings gevoer is in verskillende gewigsverhoudings tussen oggend- en middagvoeding, as volg: Behandelings toegepas in die produksiestudie het bestaan uit ‘n kragvoeraanvulling met ‘n mieliebasis wat aan koeie op weidings gevoer is in verskillende gewigsverhoudings tussen oggend- en middagvoeding, as volg:

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Kikuyu over-sown with ryegrass forms the basis of pasture based systems in the Southern Cape. During early spring, energy is the first limiting nutrient in kikuyu/ryegrass pasture, supplementation is thus essential. Supplementation consists mainly of high starch concentrates (high maize inclusion), which is expensive and could negatively affect rumen parameters. The objective of this study was to determine if milk production could be improved or maintained, and if the rumen environment would be improved, by replacing high starch concentrates with low starch (high by-product) concentrates for dairy cows on kikuyu/ryegrass pasture. Forty-five multiparous, high producing, lactating Jersey cows [body weight, 340 ± 34.7 kg; milk yield (MY), 19.6 ± 2.23kg/d; days in milk (DIM), 153 ± 33.5; lactation number, 3.6 ± 1.85; (mean ± SD)] were used in the production study. A randomised block design was used. The forty-five cows were allocated to fifteen groups of three each (blocking) on the basis of MY, DIM, and lactation number. Cows from each group were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups (high starch, medium starch and low starch concentrate supplementation). Cows were fed 6kg (3kg during each milking) concentrate per day and were allocated fresh pasture ad lib after each milking. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) found in milk yield and fat corrected milk yield between treatment groups. Milk fat percentage was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the low starch treatment than in the high starch treatment. Milk fat yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in both the low starch and the medium starch treatment when compared to the high starch treatment. Milk protein and lactose percentages, as well as milk urea nitrogen and somatic cell count, did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between treatments. Live weight change, as well as body condition score change, was unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatments indicating body reserves were not used to maintain milk production in the low starch treatment. A rumen metabolism study was also done with ten lactating, cannulated Jersey cows [body weight, 332 ± 56.3 kg; MY, 17.3 ± 1.73kg/d (mean ± SD)] were used. The cows were divided into two groups of five each, on the basis of lactation number, DIM, and MY. The five cows from each group were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups (high starch and low starch concentrate supplementation) and used in a cross-over design. Cows were fed 6kg concentrate per day and were allocated fresh pasture ad lib after each milking. The volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the high starch treatment when compared to the low starch treatment. The individual VFA’s, acetic-, propionic- and butyric acid concentrations were also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the high starch treatments when compared to the low starch treatment. The acetic to propionic acid ratio was unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatment. Rumen ammonia-nitrogen concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the high starch treatment. Rumen pH was unaffected (P > 0.05) by supplementation type. The in sacco dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities of the kikuyu/ryegrass pasture were unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatment type. Results indicated that milk production could be maintained with low starch concentrates which also improved milk composition. Results further suggested that the rumen environment was relatively unaffected by low starch concentrate supplementation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kikoejoe, oorgesaai met raaigras, vorm die basis van weidingstelsels in the Suid-Kaap. Tydens die lentemaande is energie die eerste beperkende voedingstof op kikoejoe/raaigras weidings, wat kragvoeraanvulling noodsaaklik maak. Aanvulling bestaan grootliks uit hoëstysel-kragvoer (hoë mielieinhoud) wat nie net duur is nie, maar dit kan ook die rumenomgewing benadeel. Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel of melkproduksievlakke onderhou kan word en of rumenomgewing verbeter kan word deur die vervanging van hoëstysel-kragvoer met laestysel-kragvoer (hoë neweprodukinhoud) vir melkkoeie op kikoejoe/raaigras weidingstelsels. Vyf-en-veertig meervoudige pariteit-, hoë produserende, lakterende Jerseykoeie [liggaamsmassa, 340 ± 34.7 kg; melkproduksie, 19.6 ± 2.23kg/d; dae in melk, 153 ± 33.5; laktasienommer, 3.6 ± 1.85; (gem ± standaardafwyking)] is gebruik vir die produksiestudie van die proef. Daar is gebruik gemaak van ‘n ewekansige blokontwerp. Die vyf-en-veertig koeie is opgedeel in vyftien groepe van drie elk, gebaseer op melkproduksie, dae in melk en laktasienommer. Koeie in elke groep is ewekansig aan een van drie behandelings (hoëstysel-, mediumstysel- of laestysel-kragvoeraanvulling) geallokeer. Koeie is daagliks 6kg (3kg tydens twee milkings) kragvoer gevoer en vars weiding was ad lib beskikbaar na elke melking. Daar was geen beduidende verskil (P > 0.05) in melkopbrengs of vet-gekorrigeerde melkopbrengs tussen die drie behandelings nie. Bottervetpersentasie was beduidend hoër (P < 0.05) in die laestyselbehandeling in vergelyking met die hoëstyselbehandeling. Bottervetopbrengs was beduidend hoër (P < 0.05) in beide die laestysel- en mediumstyselbehandelings in vergelyking met die hoëstyselbehandeling. Melkproteïen- en melklaktosepersentasies, asook melkureumstikstof en somatise seltelling, was onveranderd (P > 0.05) tussen behandelinge. Liggaamsmassa en liggaamskondisietelling het geen verskille (P > 0.05) getoon tussen behandelings nie, wat daarop dui dat liggaamsreserwes nie gebruik is om melkproduksie in die laestyselbehandeling te onderhou nie. ‘n Rumenmetabolismestudie is ook uitgevoer met tien lakterende, gekannuleerde Jerseykoeie [liggaamsmassa, 332 ± 56.3 kg; melkproduksie, 17.3 ± 1.73kg/d (gem ± standard afwyking)]. Die koeie is in twee groepe van vyf elk verdeel, gebasseer op laktasienommer, dae in melk en melkproduksie. Die vyf koeie van elke groep is in ‘n omslagontwerp gebruik en is ewekansig aan een van twee behandelings (hoëstysel- of laestysel-kragvoeraanvulling) geallokeer. Koeie het daagliks 6kg kragvoer ontvang en vars weiding was ad lib beskikbaar na elke melking. Die vlugtige vetsuurkonsentrasie was beduidend hoër (P < 0.05) in die hoëstyselbehandeling as in die laestyselbehandeling. Die individuele vlugtige vetsure naamlik asynsuur, propionsuur en bottersuur, was ook beduidend hoër (P < 0.05) in die hoëstyselbehandeling as in die laestyselbehandeling. Die asynsuur- tot propionsuurverhoudings het geen verskille (P > 0.05) tussen behandelings getoon nie. Rumen-ammoniakstikstof was beduidend hoër (P < 0.05) in die hoëstyselbehandeling as in die laestyselbehandeling. Rumen-pH het geen verskille (P > 0.05) getoon tussen behandelings nie. Die in sacco droëmateriaal- en neutraalbestande veselverteerbaarhede van kikoejoe/raaigras weiding het geen verskille (P > 0.05) tussen behandelings getoon nie. Die resultate het aangedui dat melkproduksie onderhou kan word en dat melksamestelling verbeter kan word met laestysel-kragvoeraanvulling. Resultate het ook daarop gedui dat die rumenomgewing nie noodwendig verbeter word deur die aanvulling van laestysel-kragvoer vir koeie op kikoejoe/raaigras weidings nie.

Many books and articles have been written about the role of women in the Church by both local and foreign authors but I note with special interest, that the factors behind the preponderance of women over men in the Church have not been adequately highlighted. To me this is very important at this moment when we are celebrating 'a demographic shift in the centre of gravity of the Christian world with African Christianity being regarded as potentially the representative Christianity of the twenty-first Century'. The growth of Christianity in Africa as represented by the Church reflects a great disparity. Men dominate in leadership while women dominate in membership. Therefore the study seeks to investigate , examine and critically analyze the reasons for their conversion in order to build a balanced Christianity both in Church membership and leadership. The study was undertaken in the ACK diocese of Mt. Kenya Central and concentrated mainly on Murang'a district in the period between 1906-2000. Among other things the study was undertaken as a contribution to the emancipation of women in our African Churches. Chapter one is an introduction to the whole thesis . Included is the statement of the problem, the methodology used to collect data and the literature review. Chapter two examines Gikuyu myth of origin plus the place of women in traditional society. Chapter three investigates the role of women in the development of the ACK Diocese of Mt. Kenya Central with a special interest in the work of the CMS women missionaries and the MU. Chapter four is the major work of the study. Here we look at the dynamics of women converting into Christianity. A sample of four case histories have been analysed giving reasons as to why women embraced Christianity. This is followed successfully by a critical analysis of the specific reasons for women entering Church. It has singled out several reasons: first in the list is the quest for salvation and eternal life, pursuit for peace and search for identity among others. In Chapter five we have analysed our research findings using the feminist theretical framework of Carolyn Osiek. Chapter six is the summary and concluding remarks which sums up the main findings of the study. This chapter has concluded that Gikuyu women are attracted to Christianity mainly because of the Gikuyu patriarchal culture and the promise of emancipation preached by the Church. The same chapter has given several recommendations, which if followed can help bring equilibrium in the Church's leadership and membership. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002. / African Theological Fellowship.

Goats are found in almost every country and are an important source of protein and produce lactose-free milk. In South Africa, survival rates of goat kids are low, mainly due to malnutrition. Intensive goat production systems based on cultivated pastures were evaluated, at various stocking rates to evaluate the effects of improved nutrition on goat production. The pastures chosen to be evaluated for goat production were Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu) and Secale cereale (Stooling rye). Kikuyu is one of the more important dryland summer pasture species in KwaZulu-Natal. Three stocking rates of goats on kikuyu were evaluated using ewes with kids. When analysing the period to weaning, the ewes lost weight in all stocking rate treatments and for both years. The years had a significant effect on weight loss (P<0.001; R²=95.7%) with a mean ADG of -0.0267 kg.animalˉ¹.dayˉ¹. There was a significant difference between ADGs between stocking rates, with ADGs of -0.0157, -0.026 and -0.0384 kg.animalˉ¹.dayˉ¹ at stocking rates of 30, 45 and 60 goats.haˉ¹ respectively (P<0.001; R²=95.7%). The analyses of the entire grazing period showed no significant difference in ewe ADGs between treatments, but a significant difference between the two years (P=0.03), with a mean ADG of -0.0205 kg.animalֿ¹.dayֿ¹. There was no significant difference between kid masses between treatments. There was a significant difference between kid performance between years (P<0.001; R²=21.8%). However, factors such as ewe start mass (P<0.001) and whether the kid was a singleton or a multiple (P=0.015) had an influence on kid ADG, while gender had no significant effect (P=0.446). Interpretation of the combined ewe plus kid weight revealed that the high stocking rate produced the highest total mass per hectare (P<0.001) with an overall mean of 2377 kg.haˉ¹. Kid ADG was positively correlated to ewe ADG (P=0.013; R²=5.8%) although this was not a strong relationship. Protein was negatively correlated to pasture height (P=0.036; R²=30.8%) and had a quadratic relationship with ADG (P<0.001; R²=48.4%) with maximum ADG occurring at protein levels of 26.17%. Rainfall was different between the two seasons, which affected pasture growth, with the stocking rates in the second year being too low, so the maximum stocking rate per hectare was not reached. Stooling rye is a pasture used predominantly in South Africa and is a good source of high quality winter feed. Four stocking rates were evaluated over winter, using pregnant ewes. Rainfall was not an important variable since supplementary irrigation was given and the difference in temperatures between the years was negligible. The rate of weight gain showed a similar response for both years with the level of weight gain varying significantly between years (P=0.001; R²=90.2%). The regressions for ADG on stocking rate were determined and were y=0.2340-0.00293x for 2001 (P=0.151; R²=58.0%) and y=0.1292-0.002198x for 2002 (P=0.137; R²=61.6%). Gain per hectare was determined, as were the stocking rates at which maximum gain per hectare were achieved and this was determined to be 40 goats.haֿ¹ during 2001 and 29 goats.haֿ¹ for 2002. The respective ADGs at these stocking rates were 0.1168 and 0.0633 kg.dayֿ¹ and daily gains.haֿ¹ were 4.672 and 1.898 kg.haֿ¹.dayֿ¹ respectively. Herbage analyses revealed that there were extremely high levels of protein in the pasture (33.87%) even though the pasture was not excessively fertilised. Average daily gain was negatively related to NDF levels (P=0.006; R²=38.4%). ADF levels (P<0.001; R²=48.4%) and NDF levels (P<0.001; R²=60.4%) showed a quadratic relationship with pasture age. Blood serum revealed that selenium levels in all treatments were lower than the normal range, while all other minerals were within the normal range. To maximise animal performance, the highest quality pasture should be offered to producing animals, namely growing animals. The seasonal variation between years has a large effect on the performance of goats on pastures. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

In KwaZulu-Natal the production of beef in summer from veld is a common enterprise. Many techniques are available to optimise the productivity of this enterprise, from improving the quality of the grazing resource (planted pastures) to improving the diet of animals using nutritional supplements. To gain an insight into the production potential and financial returns possible from such improvements a trial was established at the Ukulinga Research Farm during two consecutive summer growing seasons (1997-1998 and 1998-1999). The aim was to determine the optimum beef production system for the area from both veld and kikuyu pastures. To evaluate the benefits of supplying supplementary nutrition, four alternate feed supplements, namely: 1) a Standard commercially available molasses-based protein/mineral/energy supplement; 2) a Brewers grain based protein/mineral/energy supplement, and two supplements consisting of the Brewers grain ration with either; 3) Avoparcin (an additive that improves dietary energy) or 4) Bentonite (an additive that increases the bypass of protein) were compared. As stocking rate has been shown to influence the quality of the diet consumed, the kikuyu pasture was grazed at both the recommended (1.92 LSD ha¯¹) and half the recommended stocking rate for the region. In addition, a commercial hormonal implant was applied to half of the cattle in each treatment. Grazing was monitored using the falling plate disc meter to measure pasture bulk density and laboratory analyses of herbage grab samples for digestibility and crude protein percentage. Cattle were weighed on a weekly basis and their condition was scored prior to slaughter. All enterprise costs and returns were recorded to facilitate financial analyses of the five treatments. Low rainfall and high midsummer temperatures had a detrimental effect on the productivity of the grazing and hence it was difficult to optimise production in either season. In the first season, a midsummer drought decreased the quality and quantity of both veld and kikuyu, limiting mass gain during the latter part of the season. A delay in the onset of rain at the start of the second season limited the available grazing season to 121 days as opposed to 154 days, though fodder production during the season was not limited. Trends in herbage production (quality and quantity) from veld showed moderate quality (Crude protein 7.02%; digestibility 50.2%) with an average available herbage of 1670 kg DM ha¯¹. As anticipated, kikuyu had higher quality (Crude protein 10.84%; digestibility 53.5%) and available herbage (2730 kg DM ha¯¹). These results were similar to regional benchmarks. The variable rainfall highlighted both the drought tolerance of veld and the minimum water requirements of kikuyu pastures. Lighter stocking rates tended to reduce the negative impact of moisture stress on Kikuyu pastures. The best method of producing beef (averaged over two seasons) was from heavily stocked Kikuyu pastures using the Standard supplement (1107.63 kg livemass ha¯¹). Cattle grazing veld and utilising the Avoparcin supplement produced beef at a rate of 95.96 kg ha¯¹. In comparison, the unsupplemented cattle grazing Kikuyu produced 834.87 kg ha¯¹, whilst veld grazing produced 64.43 kg ha¯¹. Hormonal implants significantly (P≤0.05) improved beef production from all sources of grazing. A lack of rain limited grazing time, causing all the cattle to be marketed whilst too lean - this negatively affected live mass gain and, hence, net financial. Although improved biological production is desirable, it is important to ensure that these gains are financially sustainable. Within the trial environment, implanted cattle fed the Standard supplement and grazing Kikuyu pastures at a high stocking rate provided the highest average gross margin of R 859.59 ha¯¹. Changing to this production system from unsupplemented veld improved expected profit by R 632.58 ha¯¹ (averaged over both seasons). Further financial analyses indicated that beef purchase price had the greatest influence on the added profit from switching from the control treatment. From a scientific standpoint these data are conclusive but it is important to remember that consumer pressure and concerns can often limit the introduction of production improvements. Such is the case with both hormonal implants and antibiotic feed additives (Avoparcin) although considering the impact of such limitations is speculative and beyond the scope of this trial. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

Language and gender is one of the most intriguing and interesting areas in sociolinguistic study. It investigates how men and women (or boys and girls) use language differently in social contexts. Extensive study and research has been carried out in this field, particularly in regard to the English language. Eminent linguists such as Ronald Wardhaugh, David Crystal, Ralph Fasold, and Deborah Tannen have studied varying male-female use of the English language. They have also attempted comparison with other languages and cultures. Wardhaugh, for instance, has studied male-female use of language in English, American-Indian languages (such as Gros Ventre), Asian and Oriental languages (Yukaghir, Japanese) among others, and his findings have become the subject of several of his published works. In their investigations they have found that almost invariably, the way men use language shows them to be socially dominant over women. This persists even in such cases as in the Malagasy language spoken in Madagascar, where men display linguistic characteristics more popularly associated with women and vice versa (Wardhaugh). This paper seeks to determine whether men use language to dominate women among the Kikuyu ethnic group of Kenya, East Africa, to which I belong. Areas such as terms used to refer to men and women, taboo language and language use in marital situations are examined, among others. I also attempt to find out what influence this has had on English spoken in Kenya.

Die Studie bietet Einblicke in die Geschichte des kenianischen Hochlands aus linguistischer bzw. dialektologischer Perspektive. Als Grundlage dient eine Fülle an empirischen Sprachdaten für alle Varietäten, die unter dem Label Central Kenya Bantu (E50) zusammengefasst werden, darunter Gikuyu, Kamba und Meru. Die Dissertation gliedert sich in drei Teile: Mithilfe von Dialektometrie und multidimensionaler Skalierung werden die Sprachdaten in einem ersten Schritt einer umfassenden quantitativen Analyse unterzogen (dialektologische Vermessung). Dadurch lässt sich die phonologische und lexikalische Ähnlichkeit zwischen den Sprachen und Dialekten ermitteln. Dies ergibt eine Klassifikation des Zentralkenia-Bantu, die eine synchrone Dreitteilung in „Western“, „Eastern“ und „Kamba“ zeigt. Die qualitative Analyse untersucht in einem zweiten Schritt, inwiefern Vererbung und Sprachkontakt zum synchronen Profil der zentralkenianischen Bantusprachen beigetragen haben. Ein letzter Schritt gleicht die linguistischen Ergebnisse mit historischen Erkenntnissen aus den oralen Traditionen der Region ab. So können einige der sozio-historischen Prozesse spezifiziert werden, die in den vergangenen 500 Jahren prägend für die Region rund um den Mount Kenya waren. / This study provides insights into the history of the Kenyan Highlands from a linguistic (dialectological) perspective. It relies on a vast amount of empirical language data that covers all varieties subsumed under the label Central Kenya Bantu (E50), among them Gikuyu, Kamba, and Meru. The thesis is divided into three parts: The first part offers a thorough quantitative analysis (dialectological survey) by means of dialectometry and multidimensional scaling. Here, it is assessed to which degree the different varieties share their phonological and lexical inventory. This allows us to establish a synchronic classification of Central Kenya Bantu showing a split into the groups Eastern, Western, and Kamba. Second, the qualitative dialectological analysis investigates the ways in which inheritance and language contact contributed to the synchronic profile of Central Kenya Bantu. Finally, the linguistic findings are correlated with historical accounts gathered through a study of local oral traditions. This enables us to specify some of the socio-historical processes that shaped the various communities in the vicinity of Mount Kenya over the past 500 years.