Oral literature theories makerere university courses. There is no standard definition as folklorists have varying descriptions for oral literature or folk literature but a broad conceptualization refers to it as literature characterized by oral transmission and the absence of any fixed form. Oral interpretation, or the study of literature through its performance, can be defined as a demonstration of analysis, performance and communication skills. One aspect is the beliefs on the spirits of dead ancestors found in many traditional societies. Sidiky grew up learning an unwritten language, and therefore the transmission of folk tales and other stories by an oral means was very important in his culture. Oral literature in africa world oral literature by ruth finnegan is an interesting perspective and study on the tradition of oral storytelling, especially in african countries. Book launch for ruth finnegans oral literature in africa was held at heffers bookshop, cambridge on 15 oct 2012. It strives for comparative and interdisciplinary consideration of the emergence, passing on and interpretation of all forms of expression in the oral tradition.
Yet, despite the existence of these books on oral literature, the young generation in africa that has grown under the western school system somehow feels estranged with respect to this oral literature. The two met at the university of iowa in the late 1930s, and by 1940 had begun writing the book. Only when it is clear how the text stands to the performance and the other to the tradition can an analysis of the contents of the message begin, vansina, 1985. Oral literature, the standard forms or genres of literature found in societies without writing.
Oral tradition benefits transmission of cultural values and firsthand historical events in a way that makes listeners more active participants in receiving information. Song such lullabies, dirge, praise song, war song, love song, work song, play song and song of victory are creative literature works because the words are. Albert bates lord, the singer resumes the tale foreword preface 1. The ter m, oral literature, has been variously referred to as folklore, folk literature, oral narrative, oral tradition, traditional literature and orature. African literature african literature the influence of oral traditions on modern writers. Examples of traditional literature are divination text, drum language, poem, appellation, tales, songs, riddles, proverbs, myths and legends. By bernice bessey oral literature is a spoken word that has been transmitted from generation to generation.
Oral interpretation focuses on literature in performance. Songsoral narrativesoral poetryriddlestongue twisters 3. While written literature at the instant of composition and publishing is immediately fossilised in rigidity, oral literature, as this. Oral literature, in creative writing, transcription and translation, oral literature and contemporary reality, and research methodology in oral literature. Oral traditions are media of presenting ancient culture, history and experiences of the past generation. The phrases oral literature and folklore are not at all new in the language of linguists, comparative literary scholars, and anthropologists.
Full text of oral literature in africa internet archive. Apr 06, 2016 though africa oral literature has several parts, this essay will focus on song. An exposure to good literary works is essential at every phase of life as it enriches us in more ways than one. Themes in the literary traditions of contemporary africa are worked out frequently within the strictures laid down by the imported religions christianity and islam and within the struggle between traditional and modern, between rural and newly urban, between genders, and between generations. Amongst the topics covered are translation problems, understanding proverbs, oral narrative as discourse, the use of audio visual aids in teaching, general and the politics of control, images of women in african oral literature, the relationship with material culture, and oral literature as. The literature in english curriculum comprises learning objectives or focuses which embody the essential content of learning for the subject. Ruth finnegans oral literature in africa was first published in 1970, and since then has been widely praised as one of the most important books in its field. Oral literature in english the term oral literature is sometimes used interchangeably with folklore, but it usually has a broader focus. Theory and methods in oral literature unit description the unit is an introduction to the theoretical approaches to the study of oral literature. May 27, 2019 the primary element of oral literature is speech. Pdf and ebook editions, but also offering a free online edition that can be.
These problems are associated with different factors which are important to consider as our understanding of them makes the study worthwhile. The book is available as a free pdf and ebook download thanks to the generous support of interested readers and organisations, who made donations using the crowdfunding website unglue. The perception of african oral literature nineteenthcentury approaches and collections. It also encourages people to appreciate people from different kinds of races or ethnic groups across the countries. Topics include role and functions of oral literature, genre studies. It forms part of africas rich cultures that are expressed in diverse ways. Ect 315 topic 4 teaching oral literature page 1 of 3 topic 4 teaching of oral literature topic objectives by the end of this topic you should be able to.
Characteristics of oral tradition in world literature video. Because people did not read, storytellers had to rely on memory to transmit important stories, and listeners also. Oral literature in africa is part of our world oral literature series in conjunction with the world oral literature project. Theory of literature is a book on literary scholarship by rene wellek, of the structuralist prague school, and austin warren, a selfdescribed old new critic. While written literature at the instant of composition and publishing is immediately fossilised in rigidity, oral literature, as this article demonstrates, is in a constant state of change. It is in this regard that we endeavor to get deeper into the issue. Theory and methods in oral literature question papers 2155.
Feel free to use the past paper as you prepare for your upcoming examinations. Oral literature flourished in cultures where literacy was uncommon or nonexistent. Plays a key role in building up of both the listeners and the readers in a gibe literature work. The role of oral tradition in constructing african history is enormous as africans transferred their natural and cultural heritage orally curtin et al. Problems in teaching oral literature in the 21st century. Simply put, the term oral tradition refers to a process by which any information about a culture, such as literature, history, medicine, etc. The oral tradition journal, established in 1986, publishes articles on oral traditions and oral literature as well as related research. African oral genres tales, proverbs, riddles, and lullabies.
The importance of oral literature many of you know that i have developed a special place in my heart for the oral literature tradition since i started working with sidiky last spring. Find kenyatta university theory and methods in oral literature previous year question paper. Oral literature in english the canadian encyclopedia. Krappe stated that i conceive of folktales and folksongs as purely literary manifesta. The paper argues that while it is easy and desirable to choose a facilitative theory in the analysis of a written work of literature, such a process poses challenges when it comes to the oral type of african literature. A song is piece of music with words you can sing to communicate thoughts, feelings and attitudes towards life. Oral literature in africa is part of the world oral literature series published in conjunction with the world oral literature project. In an attempt to preserve this oral literature, several individual authors have collected tales, proverbs, riddles and published them in books. More than 500 published articles are available on the oral tradition journal website and are available for download in pdf format. Recent trends in african studies and the revival of interest in oral literature. In the native culture, oral literature is very important, as that is how many of their myths, stories, and legends have been passed on.
Contents online resources illustrations forward by mark turin prefaces acknowledgements abbreviations note on sources. He directs the world oral literature project and the digital himalaya. It deals with the role of theory in the study of oral literature. Literature is important for the breadth of knowledge is gives, the moral values it carries, and the enjoyment it provides, literature is important. Its contents were based on their shared understandings of. While obtaining my degree in traditional english, i found it. The oral artists agenda joseph muleka 87 p a g e the oral text naturally text is a crucial component in communicating messages. To remedy the bias against orality, scholars use the term orature to refer to speeches, oral tales, and other narratives as an analogous word for literature gingell and roy 5. Oral literature in africa is part of our world oral literature series in. Book launch for ruth finnegans oral literature in africa was held at heffers bookshop, cambridge on 15 oct 2012 charting vanishing voices. The importance of song in africa oral literature aucccom. Oral literature in africa pdf open book publishers. Historical and theoretical perspectives of literature anders pettersson department of scandinavian languages and comparative literature, umea university, sweden keywords.
One aspect is the beliefs on the spirits of dead ancestors found in. How have oral literature and traditions influenced written. This paper grapples with the question of choice of theory in the study of african oral literature. For the time being the only alternative will consist in restricting the analysis to one specific dimensi0n in our case the narrative structure of literary oral tradition. This literature through narrative, poetry, song, dance, myths and fables, and texts for religious rituals provides a portrait of the meaning of life as experienced by the society at its.
African literature the influence of oral traditions on. The importance of oral language for literacy grapeseed. Oral literature is a broad term which may include ritual texts, curative chants, epic poems, musical genres, folk tales, creation tales, songs, myths, spells, legends, proverbs, riddles, tonguetwisters, word games, recitations, life histories or historical narratives. Oral literature is a performed art which in most cases uses words as a medium of communication. A collaborative workshop to map endangered oral cultures was held on 2930 june. Hussein faculty of education, alemaya university abstract every african society south of the sahara has a long history of transmitting knowledge and human experience through the medium of oral tradition. Mar 12, 2006 the importance of oral literature many of you know that i have developed a special place in my heart for the oral literature tradition since i started working with sidiky last spring. Helps the learner to improve their reading abilities as well as acquiring positive attitudes towards oral literature. Jan 01, 2000 amongst the topics covered are translation problems, understanding proverbs, oral narrative as discourse, the use of audio visual aids in teaching, general and the politics of control, images of women in african oral literature, the relationship with material culture, and oral literature as part of oral traditions. In 2002, the national reading panel nrp, a team appointed by george w.
Effect of oral traditions 61 information and testimonies of a group of people transmitted through speeches, songs and the like. This helps people retain what they learn and generates individuals who are capable of continuing these oral traditions. The term oral literature is also used to describe the tradition in written civilizations in which certain genres are transmitted by word of mouth or are confined to the socalled folk i. The oral nature of african unwritten literature the significance of performance in actualization, transmission, and composition. Effect of oral traditions, folklores and history on the. These clips, together with original photographs taken during her research, will be an invaluable resource to scholars of african literature and culture. For instance, the experience of listening to oral performances can, and continues to, inform scholarship. Theory and methods in oral literature unit description.
The transition of oral culture to oral literature oral culture is derived from traditional societies and contains norms such as traditional belief systems of certain things handed down from successive generations. Songs oral narratives oral poetryriddlestongue twisters 3. Historical and theoretical perspectives of literature. It is only material from the past but also a great deal of new material is being composed and performed today. The research highlighted the fact that they have a role to play in the 21st century. On 01 june 2012, professor rukmini bhaya nair gave a lecture on the material culture of oral narratives in india. This study examines contemporary sesotho proverbs with an attempt at establishing whether they perform a significant role in society. After speech, important elements include storytelling, plot, protagonists, antagonists, culture, moralslessons, preservation of history andor lore, legitimization and praise of rulers, rhetoric. Problems faced in teaching oral literature in the 21st century when teaching oral literaure, the experience comes with a lot of problems.
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