Oral traditions are messages that are transmitted orally from one generation to another . The messages may be passed down through speech or song and may take the form of folktales and fables, epic histories and narrations, proverbs or sayings, and songs.
What do oral traditions tell us about African society?
Every society passes information about its history, myths, and customs along to new generations . In many African societies such material has been transmitted orally, through the spoken word.
What is West African oral tradition?
Folktales West Africa’s oral tradition includes hundreds of old stories called folktales . West Africans used folktales to pass along their history and to teach young people morals and values. Many traditional folktales were brought to the Americas by West Africans who were sold into slavery beginning in the 1500s.
What impact did oral traditions have on African history?
The most successful of the early African writers knew what could be done with the oral tradition; they understood how its structures and images could be transposed to a literary mode , and they were able to distinguish mimicry from organic growth.
What are examples of oral tradition?
Oral tradition is information passed down through the generations by word of mouth that is not written down. This includes historical and cultural traditions, literature and law. Explore some oral tradition examples like legends, proverbs, folktales, and customs .
What are the characteristics of oral tradition?
- repetition of phrases to emphasize points or themes.
- interaction with the audience.
- strong rhythm and meter.
- music, costume, and props.
- idiomatic expressions.
- strong imagery.
- techniques such as onomatopoeia (creating sounds that imitate sounds found in nature)
What is the importance of oral tradition?
However, oral tradition and history have long been a valuable tool for preserving cultural and historical memory . They preserve the history of the past, the events, and contribute to answering the how and why of human actions in the form of stories, legends, songs, speeches (McDonnell, 2003:99, ...show more content...
What’s the meaning of oral tradition?
Oral tradition, also called orality, the first and still most widespread mode of human communication. Far more than “just talking,” oral tradition refers to a dynamic and highly diverse oral-aural medium for evolving, storing, and transmitting knowledge, art, and ideas .
What are the two prominent oral traditions in Africa?
The history of Africa is rich with oral tradition. Much of these traditions have been preserved by griots, people who tell tales, speak proverbs and even sing songs to pass down the traditions of their culture. Folktales and proverbs are both examples of African oral traditions.
Why is oral tradition important in African culture?
Oral Traditions make it possible for a society to pass knowledge across genera- tions without writing . They help people make sense of the world and are used to teach children and adults about important aspects of their culture. There is a rich tradition throughout Africa of oral storytelling.
What is the oral tradition of storytelling?
Oral storytelling is telling a story through voice and gestures . The oral tradition can take many forms, including epic poems, chants, rhymes, songs, and more. Not all of these stories are historically accurate or even true. Truth is less important than providing cultural cohesion.
Why was oral tradition so important in West Africa Text to Speech?
Oral tradition is important in west Africa because modern writers add to the oral legacy some have turned oral traditions to novels . ... What functions did music serve in west Africa? Music communicated ideas and values also expressed feelings and celebrated important evens such as weddings,funerals and ceramonies.
What are griots in Africa?
Griot, Mande jeli or jali, Wolof gewel, West African troubadour-historian. The griot profession is hereditary and has long been a part of West African culture. ... In addition to serving as the primary storytellers of their people, griots have also served as advisers and diplomats.
What is the difference between oral tradition and written tradition?
Oral history is often one person’s point of view, unless someone gathers a series of interviews on the same issue together in a volume. ... A traditional written history, by contrast, uses a variety of sources, which may include oral interviews , government reports, newspaper articles, letters, diaries and personal papers.
How has oral tradition influenced modern writing?
In modern-day society, oral tradition still impacts the written word . ... In these stories they passed down their culture, traditions, values, and histories. Many early stories were part of religion. For example, myths and legends were passed down this way, including the creation myths of different cultures.
What is the importance of storytelling in African culture?
Storytelling in Africa provides entertainment, satisfies the curiosities of the African people , and teaches important lessons about everyday life. It is essentially a communal participatory experience.
