Narratives and oral poems (also known as songs) are some of the most common forms of Oral Literature. Though they are of many forms, oral narratives and oral poems have a number of common features. These include:
1. Timelessness
The exact time when the narrative took place or when an oral poem was composed is not mentioned. This is because each has been handed down for hundreds of generations.
A sense of time in narratives and songs is usually indicated by the presence of the opening and closing formulas.
2. Elements of fantasy
Both oral narratives and songs have aspects of imagination. This involves reference to things beyond the experience of a normal human being; for instance, animals or inanimate objects talking and the presence of ogres.
3. Moral lessons
Most oral narratives and oral poems have teachings (virtues/morals) drawn from them. Moral lessons should be given positively. For instance, we should be honest and not We should not tell lies.
4. Direct Address / Direct Speech
In some oral narratives and songs, the Speaker talks directly to another person, animal or inanimate object (apostrophe). This is usually indicated by the personal pronoun You
5. Beginning/ opening formula and closing formula.
Long ago….
Once upon a time….
There lived….
In older days….
Closing formula includes
The story ends there.
Since then...
Happily ever after
Functions of the closing formula:
• It announces the end of the narrative.
• It releases the audience from concentration.
• It paves way for the next narrative.
• It brings back the audience to the world of reality.
6. Use of Ideophones
An ideophone is the repetition of an actual natural sound made by an animal or an object. Ideophones are not words but sounds. Examples of Ideophones include, krrrr…Ouch! Hahaha…, tap tap tap…., Waaah...
7. Presence of Dialogue
A dialogue is a conversation between two or more parties. Dialogue is a common feature in oral narratives and it features a verbal exchange between humans and fellow humans, animals with other animals or even humans and animals.
The function of dialogue in narratives is to make the narrative live, real and captivating.
8. Personification
Personification involves giving human qualities/ attributes to animals or inanimate objects. For instance, stone talking, hare laughing, birds singing etc
9 Repetition/ Refrain/ Chorus// Repetition of action
In both oral narratives and oral poems, there is an aspect of repetition that is evident in words, phrases, clauses or sentences. The repetition serves to:
i) Emphasize on certain point(s), concept(s), issue(s), topic(s) or idea(s).
ii) Creates rhythm in the narrative.
iii) Give mood to the narrative.
10. Use of local/ ethnic words
Oral narratives and oral songs occasionally use vernacular language in their presentation. Examples include i.e Wat, ‘Mikai, Misumba, chik, dak’, Ngai, Nyasaye, Fisi etc. The use of local/ethnic words in oral narratives and oral poems serves two major functions:
i. They give the narrative/oral poem a local flavour/ beauty.
ii. They provide a setting; the place where the story was set.
11. Use of Mimicry
Mimicry is the imitation of words or sounds of other characters in an oral narrative. These sounds may be sounds of animals, birds or inanimate objects.
12 Use of proverbs:
Proverbs or wise sayings are often used in oral narratives to precisely/ briefly capture the moral lesson of the narrative. These are either implied or mentioned directly at the end of the oral narrative.
13. Use of songs
Songs are often integrated into oral narratives. Integration of songs in narratives has the following functions:
i. Allows the audience to participate in singing.
ii. Creates rapport between the audience and the singer.
iii. Breaks the monotony of narration.
iv. Acts as a code/ system of communication between characters.
v. Allows comic relief; makes audiences laugh, hence relieving tension.
vi. Sets the mood in the narrative.
vii. Allows a smooth transition between scenes.
14. Lack of geographical specificity
Most oral narratives lack exact mention of particular places where the story is set. It just uses words such as:
• Far far away.
• In a distant place.