CLASSIFICATIONS OF ORAL NARRATIVES
Oral narratives can be sub-divided into various sub-genres as follows: -
a) Tricksters stories
b) Ogre/Monster stories
c) Explanatory/etiological/why stories
d) Dilemma
e) Myths
f) Legend
TRICKSTER STORIES:
The stories involve trickery where one character, the trickster, uses his wit to undo another dupe. The trickster is presented as a wise and cunning character while the dupe is usually foolish and gullible.
Each community tends to have its tricksters and dupes. Common tricksters include the hare, the squirrel, Chameleon, tortoise, spider, monkey e.t.c. The most common dupe is the hyena. There is a trend where smaller and weaker animals seem to outdo the stronger and the bigger ones. Is this done despise the bigger characters?
No, this is done with the following reasons: -
i. To pass a moral message that might not always be right.
ii. To encourage children that they can also excel despite their size.
iii. To encourage the weak in society to fight for their rights despite their disadvantages
iv. To show the importance of being wise in society. Sometimes the dupe is depicted as evil and his defeat is a celebration of good over evil.
However, the trickster occasionally finds himself outwitted. This serves as a warning to those who are sly in society for they could get a taste of their own medicine. Besides, no community would like to encourage slyness and deceit as ways of survival.
EXPLANATORY/AETIOLOGICAL STORIES:
They are also called why stories because they attempt to explain the origin of phenomena. These stories usually end with “and they is why…………………”
It is important to clarify that they do not explain the origin of the universe and communities (myths) rather they pick on the specific trend or aspect of life and explain its origin. They may explain the physical attributes of animals and nature and trace the origin of present relationships.
Examples – why the hyena limps, why the hare has a short tail, why the zebra has stripes, how the dog became a domestic animal, why women do not own animals, how the hawk and the hen became perpetual enemies.
OGRE/MONSTER NARRATIVES:
Ogres are characters that are half-human and half-animal. They are super to change from human characters that can change from human beings to animals. They feed on human beings and can devour everything that comes to sight. In many of the stories, they appear in human gatherings as perfect human beings for example, very handsome young men but late they old turn into ugly man-eating creatures.
Ogres are an embodiment of evil that successfully camouflages as good among human beings only to reveal itself later. Ogre stories serve to caution human beings to be careful and on the lookout for the evil that could be camouflaged around us. Children were especially warned against strangers.
DILEMMA STORIES:
A dilemma is a situation where a character is torn between two things and cannot decide what to do and the listener or reader is left to look for the solution. The two or more choices of the character or community are usually of a moral nature requiring critical judgement.
The dilemma is meant to test our wit in critical issues of life, initiate debate among listeners or readers and prepare us for such moments in life.
LEGENDS/HERO STORIES:
Legends are stories of human characters that lived in the past and exhibited extraordinary qualities. These characters are of superhuman nature and their exploits are of epic proportions. The belief among the respective communities is that these heroes are historical figures. What happens is that unique individual are celebrated by society and with time, their prowess is exaggerated down the line to reach epic proportions.
There is a legend among the Kikuyu known as Wamugumo who was famous to eat volumes and volumes of food. Research I carried out on the same revealed that this man did exist like you and me; he was a very hardworking man and his food consumption was definitely commensurate with his volume of work. To ordinary mortals, this was too much food and his culinary tendencies spread from hill to hill with each making an addition to the abilities. Eventually what emerges today is a figure that could eat a whole will and ask for a second helping while performing work for a hundred ordinary men.
Legends provide us with heroes to copy or emulate for they excelled in various fields e.g. Wangu was Makeri of the Agikuyu excelled in leadership which was previously a domain of men. Lwanda Magere of the Luo was an ideal example of bravery during the times of inter-clan and tribal wars.
MYTHS
Myths are creation stories that trace the origin of communities and the universe in general as having come through supernatural powers.
The difference between myths and legends is that myths involve the activities of the supernatural or gods while legends are main about human beings who have superhuman qualities.
The function of myths is to explain the origin of mankind and the Bio-physical universe. Thus, myths validate social systems and authority and educate or socialize community members. Each community has its myth though quite a number seem to be similar
OTHER STORIES:
Students should also familiarize themselves with the following other categories of oral narrative.
a) FABLES.
This is a story that involves the use of animals as the main character with the main to deliver a moral message.
There is a story about the hyena that went out looking for food during famine after many days of starvation he came across a carcass and ate and ate until he died. This story is none of the six categories above it is a fable.
b) HUMAN TALES.
These are the stories where human beings are the main character. Sometimes they may interact with animals but it is they (men) who are the focus of the story.
We have other stories about girls seeking beauty and becoming jealous of the most beautiful one among them whom they unsuccessfully try to eliminate leading to their punishments. Such is a human tale.
c) STORIES ABOUT SPIRIT
we also have stories that highlight the work of spirits among men; the way they live among men influence and control the lives of men and generally their existence in the human world.