ORAL LITERATURE GUIDELINES
ORAL LITERATURE
Definition
Oral literature can be defined as a spoken, acted or performed art whose media is through word.
A. WHY STUDY ORAL LITERATURE
• Understanding ourselves
Understanding our roots as individuals in our community and culture
• National building
Education plays a major role in nation building and oral literature is an important part of education. It
reveals the nature of the social political and economic institutions of the people of Kenya hence enabling
us to see how we can use the ideas of our people in building our nation.
• Understanding other peoples culture
Oral literature also helps us to understand other people’s cultures and therefore this intercultural
understanding is important if we are to prosper together.
• Understand our history
Oral literature helps in understanding and interpretation of our history because most songs and
narratives are based on historical facts.
• Educating
Oral literature is a powerful medium of social education. This is done by spoken word through narratives,
songs and dances.
• Entertainment
• Socialization
• Awareness
This is done by addressing issues that affect the community such as HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.
• Practice language skills
Practicing language skills like pronunciations, articulations, voice projection and also listening skills.
B. SOURCES OF ORAL LITERATURE
Sources of oral literature vary and they include:-
• People
• Surroundings
, • Conditions
• Daily activities
• Experiences e.g. similes, metaphors, proverbs etc.
C. METHODS OF COLLECTING ORAL MATERIAL
• Listening: - this is a very powerful method however the sheer reliance on memory may lead to
inaccurate interpretation since not everything will be remembered.
• Participation:- this is by getting involved in communal activities e.g. wedding
• Writing down : - taking notes
• Recording: - this is a very important tool and it can be audio or visual because it keeps the exact
information and it cannot be manipulated.
D. GENRES OF ORAL LITERATURE
Oral literature is very long and therefore divided into two categories:-
• Long forms
• Short forms
Long forms Short forms
• Oral narratives • jokes
• Oral poetry • proverbs
• songs • tongue twisters
• riddles
• wise sayings
• puns
D 1 LONGS FORMS
• ORAL NARRATIVES
They are divided into categories like
• Monster
• Trickster
• Dilemma
• Etiological
• Legend
• Fables
• Myth
ORAL LITERATURE
Definition
Oral literature can be defined as a spoken, acted or performed art whose media is through word.
A. WHY STUDY ORAL LITERATURE
• Understanding ourselves
Understanding our roots as individuals in our community and culture
• National building
Education plays a major role in nation building and oral literature is an important part of education. It
reveals the nature of the social political and economic institutions of the people of Kenya hence enabling
us to see how we can use the ideas of our people in building our nation.
• Understanding other peoples culture
Oral literature also helps us to understand other people’s cultures and therefore this intercultural
understanding is important if we are to prosper together.
• Understand our history
Oral literature helps in understanding and interpretation of our history because most songs and
narratives are based on historical facts.
• Educating
Oral literature is a powerful medium of social education. This is done by spoken word through narratives,
songs and dances.
• Entertainment
• Socialization
• Awareness
This is done by addressing issues that affect the community such as HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.
• Practice language skills
Practicing language skills like pronunciations, articulations, voice projection and also listening skills.
B. SOURCES OF ORAL LITERATURE
Sources of oral literature vary and they include:-
• People
• Surroundings
, • Conditions
• Daily activities
• Experiences e.g. similes, metaphors, proverbs etc.
C. METHODS OF COLLECTING ORAL MATERIAL
• Listening: - this is a very powerful method however the sheer reliance on memory may lead to
inaccurate interpretation since not everything will be remembered.
• Participation:- this is by getting involved in communal activities e.g. wedding
• Writing down : - taking notes
• Recording: - this is a very important tool and it can be audio or visual because it keeps the exact
information and it cannot be manipulated.
D. GENRES OF ORAL LITERATURE
Oral literature is very long and therefore divided into two categories:-
• Long forms
• Short forms
Long forms Short forms
• Oral narratives • jokes
• Oral poetry • proverbs
• songs • tongue twisters
• riddles
• wise sayings
• puns
D 1 LONGS FORMS
• ORAL NARRATIVES
They are divided into categories like
• Monster
• Trickster
• Dilemma
• Etiological
• Legend
• Fables
• Myth
