General Introduction

1.1    Introduction

Literature is often influenced by the culture and society in which it is produced and as

the imitation of life, it creates not only serious, and substantial literary pieces but also composes

conventional and melodious works of art which more often is expected to influence, convince

or persuade the people (Kabir, 2013). It is against this backdrop that scholars like Agyekum

(2013), Chapman (1992:619), Hogins (1984), Ladyina (1976) to mention but a few have

described literature from different perspectives but all have underscored the strong relationship

that exists between literature and society. Literature deals with experience which may feature

philosophical ideas that could be presented in terms of personal experiences which normally

reflect the experience of the entire society over a certain period of time.

The term interpellation as a noun, has its root from Latin as interpellare,-atum which

means to disturb by speaking. Interpellation according to the French Marxist Philosopher, Louis

Althusser (1972) is the process by which ideology embodied in major social and political

institutions, constitutes the nature of individual subjects‟ identities through the very process of

institution and discourse of praising them in social interactions. It basically explains the ways in

which ideas get into peoples‟ heads and have an effect on their lives, so much so that they

believe they are their own. Interpellation is a process which people encounter their cultural

values and internalise them.

Hausa home videos according to Dakata (2004) are audio visual tapes or discs relaying

plays and dramas that are recorded for commercial purpose. They are purchased and viewed at

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home with the sole intent of acquiring the required entertainment and education where possible

by the viewers. These home videos bring people into contact with their culture while they are

being entertained, even though interpellation could acculturate the audience with a culture other

than theirs.

Since literature mirrors the cultural and societal life of a people as opined by Ladyina

(1976), a conscious effort will be made in this study to examine the processes in which people

subject to various ideologies as depicted in some Hausa home video movies like Basaja(2012),

Mata da KuÉ—i (2014), Zee-Zee (2014) „Yar Mace (2014) and Mulkin Mallaka (2014). Also, to

establish how these foreign ideologies undermine some essentials of the Hausa value systems

especially in aspects of marriage, morality, norms and values etc.

1.2 Background of the Study

This research depicts the strong relationship that exists between literature and philosophy

as a discipline. According to Chapman (1992), literature in the real sense is philosophical

because it does not just portray the experiences of a people over a certain period of time; it

represents the mindset, perceptions, religion and cultural beliefs of a people. It is worthy of note

to state that students of literature share the desire to integrate literary experience with other

cultural phenomena such as historical change, philosophical concepts and social movements.

The study, therefore, examines the interpellative functions of Hausa home video movies

and how it undermines the essentials of Hausa value system in aspects of marriage, norms and

values, mannerisms, dressing, morals etc. Film as opined by Mohammed (2004) is designed

primarily to inform, influence or inspire. And according to Krings (2004), Film is a medium

which can be used to give life to the imaginative, to what could be, to the dreams (bad and good)

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of a given society. Therefore, one finds it expedient to apply the philosophical concept of

interpellation on select Hausa home video movies. This is by examining how ideology operates

in Hausa home video movies. The unconscious exploitation of the concept of interpellation by

producers and scriptwriters of Hausa home videos deliberately or otherwise to