An analysis of graffiti from Bikita-Matsai secondary schools

Abstract

There are many studies on graffiti and these studies mainly focus on the functionality of graffiti in conveying messages. There is no study known to this researcher that focuses on the functionality of graffiti with regards to the emotions embedded in the words of the graffiti writers. However, at the beginning of each and every term, secondary school teachers in most schools are asked by the authorities to help learners clean the walls of graffiti which would have been inscribed during the previous term, during the closing weeks or during the holidays. Regardless of the warnings by the authorities to the learners directing them to stop the illegal practice, graffiti is always found on the walls. By merely looking at the words on the walls one might conclude that the words on the walls depict various moods of the authors. The current study, as a result, analysed graffiti from Bikita-Matsai secondary schools in a bid to establish the relationship that exists between affective states and the choice of words by graffiti artists with the hope of establishing and resolving the learners’ grievances. Historical-Philological Semantics theory was used as a launch pad in this study. The theory was very vital as it emphasises the importance of contextual study of texts. This theory has many branches; however, for the purpose of this study the psychologically oriented Historical-Philological Semantics theory was adopted. The psychological aspect helped the study give emphasis on the emotional elements around the production of graffiti. The study made use of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The discussions and analysis that were carried in this study through the use of aspects engraved in qualitative and quantitative methodologies led to the establishment of four major arguments about secondary school graffiti. The first was that, there is an interdependent relationship between words on walls and the emotions of the author. It was also established that, graffiti in Bikita Matsai harbours emotions. Major emotions that were unravelled in Bikita Matsai are; happiness, pride, love, fear, anger and hatred. The study brought to the fore the idea that, there is a great difference between graffiti by final examination classes and that of lower classes.