Ubabedume na Dhiki za Mwanamume katika Riwaya za Kiswahili za Waandishi Wanawake

Swahili  Tafiti nyingi kuhusu ubabedume katika fasihi ya Kiswahili zimejikita katika athari zake kwa wanawake, huku gharama zake kwa wanaume wenyewe zikipewa uzito mdogo. Makala hii inachunguza namna ubabedume inavyokuwa chanzo cha dhiki kwa wahusika wa kiume katika riwaya teule za Kiswahili zilizoandikwa na waandishi wanawake. Utafiti uliongozwa na Nadharia ya Ubabedume ya Connell (1995) na ulitumia mkabala wa kimaelezo wenye mwelekeo wa uchanganuzi wa yaliyomo ya kifasihi. Data ilikusanywa kutoka Nguu za Jadi (Momanyi, 2019) na Penzi la Damu (Manyanza, 2017), zilizoteuliwa kimakusudi, kwa kuchanganua matukio, mazungumzo na mienendo ya wahusika wa kiume kwa kuzingatia uhusiano kati ya matarajio ya uanaume na dhiki wanazopitia. Matokeo yanaonyesha kuwa dhiki ya wanaume katika riwaya hizi haitokani tu na kushindwa kutimiza matarajio ya ubabedume, bali pia na gharama za kuyatimiza. Ulinganishi unaonyesha kuwa, licha ya tofauti za mazingira, kuna kinzani ya msingi ambapo sifa zinazotumiwa kujenga na kuthibitisha uanaume wakati huohuo zinaweza kuuporomosha ustawi wa mwanaume. Makala inahitimisha kuwa ubabedume unaweza kuwa mzigo kwa wanaume wenyewe pale matarajio ya uanaume yanapowalazimisha kuthibitisha nguvu, mamlaka na uwezo wao kwa gharama ya afya, ustawi na mahusiano yao. Kwa hivyo, makala inapendekeza kuimarishwa kwa mijadala na tafiti kuhusu miundo mbadala ya uanaume inayosisitiza uwajibikaji, ushirikiano, mawasiliano, usawa wa kijinsia na kuthamini afya ya kimwili na kiakili ya wanaume. Makala hii inapanua mjadala wa ubabedume katika fasihi ya Kiswahili kwa kuonyesha kuwa wanaume wanaweza kuwa watendaji wa mfumo wa ubabedume na wakati huohuo kuwa wahanga wa gharama zake za kimwili, kiakili, kiuchumi na kijamii.   English  The predominant focus of studies on patriarchy in Kiswahili literature on its effects on women has left limited space for examining the social, health, economic, and psychological costs faced by men. This article examines how hegemonic masculinity is associated with distress experienced by male characters in selected Kiswahili novels written by women. Guided by Connell's (1995) Hegemonic Masculinity Theory, the study employed a descriptive approach with qualitative literary content analysis. Data were drawn from two purposively selected novels, Nguu za Jadi (Momanyi, 2019) and Penzi la Damu (Manyanza, 2017), through analysis of events, dialogues, behaviours, and relationships involving male characters, with attention to socially constructed expectations of masculinity and their effects. Findings indicated that hegemonic masculinity is associated with various forms of distress, including deteriorating physical and mental health, financial losses, disruption of family and social relationships, loss of respect and social status, and life-threatening situations. Social expectations requiring men to be courageous, authoritative, self-reliant, providers, and emotionally restrained significantly contribute to producing such distress. The article concludes that patriarchy does not affect women alone but also imposes various costs on men as they strive to conform to socially prescribed standards of masculinity. Therefore, the study recommends promoting gender perspectives that allow more flexible forms of masculinity, including reducing expectations that compel men to associate masculinity with strength, self-reliance, authority, and emotional restraint, while promoting environments where men can express emotions, seek support, and participate in family responsibilities without being demeaned or losing social status. Such an approach would enable literary and social debates on patriarchy to give broader consideration to the system's effects on both genders.