CONCEPT OF LITERATURE (PART III)

(A)       ORAL LITERATURE

This is kind of literature which presented in orally such as legends, myths, fables, folk tale etc.

The history of literature probably dates back to the earliest human society, however early had they lived, people created stories sometimes to entertain themselves, some times to educate others and some times for several others purposes.

Before introduction of the writing system such as stories were transmitted orally from one generation to another. The term oral literature originates from here at the early stage of human history; all literary works were preserved by oral tradition. As writing systems were invented, and literacy replaced or alit such oral literature was also written down fixed texts. The conditional of oral literature however is not a sample event in which a work of

Literature merely changed its form from one to another, rather it is an event which has to be understood in historical context, not only its impact is significance but also how and why a work of literature was contextualized provides us an insight in the era and society in which the work was codified.

TYPES OF ORAL LITERATURE

Oral literature is divided into various categories some of them are;

Myths

Myths are stories that explain objects or events in natural words as resulting from some super natural force or entity most often a god.

Legends

Legends are stories coming down from the past, often based on real events. These are also often regarded as historical. Sometimes they may have certain parts that are fantastic or unverifiable.

 Folk tales

Folk tales are brief stories passed by word of mouth from generation to another generation.

Fairy tales

Fairy tales are stories that deal with mischievous spirits and other super natural occurrences often in medieval setting.

Parables

Parables are very brief stories told to teach a moral lesson.

Fables

Fables are brief stories often with an animal character told to express a moral.

Spiritual

Spiritual are religious song from Africa-American tradition.

Epic

Epic is a long story often told inverse involving heroes and gods. Epic have often been passed on orally and may have anonymous authors. Grand in length and scope, an epic provides a portrait of legends, beliefs, valves, laws, arts and ways of life of people

Proverbs/adage

It is a short, well- known sayings that state a general truth or give advice. They are sentences or phrases briefly and memorably expressing some recognized truth or shrewd observation about practical life, originally preserved by oral tradition, though it may be transmitted in written literature as well.

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