AFRICAN ORAL TRADITION
The term “African oral tradition,” also referred to as “oral literature” or “orature,” refers to a vast body of oral discourse that covers every topic and expression method developed by a people. Oral tradition is a form of art that can be studied using a set of traditional rules that everyone knows and agrees on.The African oral tradition is based on African belief systems and practices. As a result, African orature corresponds to a distinct African manner of speaking.
Oral tradition is a complex body of spoken or spoken art that helps people remember the past based on their ideas, beliefs, symbols, assumptions, attitudes, and feelings. Orature is classified into three types: literary, historical, and erudite. Poetic genres, divination poetry, and songs are all included in the literary. Proverbs, parables, and incantations are also included. Historical narratives include myths, tales, historical dramas, and epics. The erudite category includes secret formulae, prayers, and any other esoteric material.
In traditional African civilization, the poet performs a variety of roles. The griot or court poet for the Mandika of West Africa was in charge of not only singing the ruler’s praises, but also preserving historical events involving the royal or ruling family via songs. He is also the king’s linguist or spokesman. Umusizi from Rwanda in Central Africa, imbongi from Zulu in Southern Africa, and poets from other ethnic groups all fulfilled the same role.
In many African societies, divine kingship is an essential institution. The concept that the monarch is the bodily manifestation of God is known as divine kingship. This belief was shared by the peoples of ancient Nubia and Kemet, as well as those of Southern, Central, East, and West Africa. Griots serve an essential religious purpose. For the griot, who is in charge of chronicling the royal family’s history, history and religion blend.
The generative power of Nommo—the Word—is ever present in traditional African orature. According to ancient African philosophy, the African poet commands things with words. These “magical” poets are not just utilized at the discretion of royalty, but others consult them as well. For example, goldsmiths frequently enlist the help of poets to work their “word-magic” in the production of their craft.
The majority of African languages are purely oral. This is largely due to the importance of spoken language or oral tradition in African culture. Religion and oral tradition have formed a symbiotic relationship since religion permeates African civilization. Rituals and ceremonies are carried out by skilled people who learnt their trade through oral tradition.
Although valuing the poet’s speaking skill, Africans consider orature and its performance (one cannot exist without the other) as useful aspects of society. The goal of orature is to enlighten and rouse the audience into some constructive activity, as well as to begin or support spiritual action.
African literature does not divide literature into poetry, prose, and drama, but rather by the speaker’s or poet’s use of language. There are several examples of language use based on traditional African culture. This is significant because it reveals that among African societies, there is no distinction between a speaking act and a performance. They are the same thing.
Speaking is an act. African orature, or traditional African literature, existed alongside or inside African languages. It is not divided into different and independent categories. Hence, the concept of public speaking, or rhetoric, is inextricably linked to performance.
As a result, when we talk about the African oral tradition, we’re talking about artistic verbal expression and its performance in the form of poems, songs, proverbs, myths, legends, incantations, sermonizing, lecturing, testifying, signifying, and other modes based on a complex worldview that aims to elevate and transform society. The spoken word has always dominated communication culture in Africa and the diaspora. This is part of the continuity with Africa’s ancient history.
Also Read: African Tribes: Five African Tribes’ Unusual Cultural Practices
