ORAL LITERATURE REVISION
1. Define the term oral literature.
Spoken, acted and performed art whose transmission/ presentation/media is by word of mouth.
2. Identify three main genres/ categories/forms/types/ kinds/ classes of oral literature.
- Oral narratives
- Short forms
- Oral songs/ poems
3. State eight (8) types/ sub-genres/ sub-categories/ sub-classes of oral narratives.
- Legends
- Myths
- Dilemma
- Aetiological/ Explanatory/ Why stories (tales)
- Trickster narratives/ tales/ stories
- Ogre/ monster narratives
- Fables
- Parables
4. State all short forms:
- Proverbs
- Riddles
- Tongue twisters.
- Puns
- Jokes
- Idioms
5. State at least 5 key characteristics of the 8 sub-genres/ sub-categories of oral narratives.
a) Legends:
- Legends are historical.
- Legends are based on the community hero/ heroine.
- The hero/ heroine in the legend has supernatural powers/ abilities.
- True in nature.
- Hero/heroine usually sacrifices a lot on behalf of the community.
- Have a moral lesson.
b) Myths:
- Myths are sacred/ religious.
- Myths tell about the origin of a community; certain beliefs and customs.
- There is a reference to superhuman beings/ Involve superhuman beings in Myths.
- Myths are based on the history of the community.
c) Dilemma tales/ narratives:
- Protagonist has to make a tough choice.
- None of the choices is easy to make.
- The protagonist usually regrets the choice made.
- Always ends with a question.
- Have a moral lesson.
d) Aetiological/ Explanatory narratives:
- Explain the origin of natural phenomena/ occurrences.
- Explain why things are the way they are.
- Deal with the question: Why?
- Heavily rely on the cultural background of the community.
- Have a moral lesson.
e) Trickster narratives/ tales/ stories
- Involve treachery/ deceit/ cunning; trickster tricks another, dupe is tricked.
- Involve small versus big animals.
- Small animals are usually intelligent and cunning.
- Big animals are usually mighty but gullible and foolish.
- Test brain (intelligence) versus brawn (strength/ power)
- Small animals always trick the big animals.
- Have a moral lesson.
f) Ogre/ monster narratives
- Involve interaction between ogres/ monsters and human beings.
- Involve creatures from human imagination and fantasy (unreality).
- Creatures can turn themselves into human forms.
- Creatures always take advantage of the vulnerable/ weak in society.
- Monsters/ ogres are pursued/ hunted by heroes/ heroines.
- Teach
a moral lesson.
g) Fables
- Involve animal characters.
- The animal characters give human qualities and attributes (traits) – personified.
- Derived from particular backgrounds.
- Politely
teach social norms/ standards/ rules.
- Teach a moral lesson.
h) Parables
- Have a religious allusion/ reference.
- Used to teach a moral lesson.
- Are a form of education.
- Use human characters.
6. State the appropriate steps/ stages in a riddling process/ cycle.
- Invitation – Challenger draws the attention of the audience using an opening formula, for instance: ‘Have a riddle.’
- Acceptance- Respondent responds or accepts to take the challenge, for instance: ‘Throw it.’
- Challenge/Riddle – Challenger poses/ gives the challenge (riddle) itself.
- Guesses or answers- Respondents try to answer; provide guesses.
- Prize – Challenger asks for a prize to provide a solution in cases where respondents fail to answer it correctly. The prize is given, challenger finally accepts it.
- Solution – Challenger gives the right answer.
7. Highlight reasons why we study oral literature.
» A form of education.
» To understand our culture.
» To understand our history.
» As a form of entertainment.
» For recreation; leisure.
8. Body language:
» Nodding
» Smiling
» Sitting posture (upright or leaning forward)
» Dancing
» Clapping/ applauding
» Laughing
» Frowning
» Waving
» Stamping feet.
9. Verbal skills/ devices/ cues:
» Voice projection; to audible.
» Tonal variation; to break monotony & create interest.
» Stress; to emphasize on certain issue/ point.
» Intonation; to express different feelings/ moods and meanings.
» Proper articulation (pronunciation)
10. Non-verbal cues/ devices/ para-linguistic; extra-linguistic features:
» Use of gestures (gesticulation); stretching hands, waving, swinging, pointing, clapping, thumbing, raising a hand, spreading hands, shaking hands etc
» Facial expression; smiling, nodding, frowning, blinking, widening eyes, eye contact, winking etc
» Body movement; bending, stretching one’s body, enlarging stomach, curtsying, bowing, shaking one’s body etc
» Dramatization/ dramatic aspects; acting out scenes like jumping etc
» Pregnant pauses; significant/ meaningful pauses (breaks) - to achieve certain effects such as suspense.
» Mimicry; imitation of sounds specific to certain animals or beings during narration.
11. Oral devices:
ü These are devices (signals that support the verbal communication) cues used during an oral presentation/ performance to achieve meaningful and effective/ successful presentation:
ü NOTE: One must mention the exact cues and how they are applied practically.
» Verbal cues.
» Non-verbal cues.
12. Body language that shows alertness on the part of the audience:
» Nodding
» Smiling
» Clapping
» Applauding
» Laughing
» Sitting upright
» Leaning forward
13. Ways in which the audience can contribute towards a successful delivery of a narrative:
» Joining in choral parts (singing).
» Clapping/ applauding.
» Cheering.
» Telling parts of the story.
» Nodding in agreement.
14. Conventional ways of attracting attention:
» Telling a relevant proverb
» Giving an appropriate, summarizing riddle.
» Using an appropriate opening phrase/ introductory statement: “I have a story/ take a story/ story story”
» Challenging them with a tongue-twister.
» Posing/ asking a surprising question.
» Ringing a bell or drum
» Whistling
» Clearing throat
» Clapping
15. State at least 5 factors/ cues/ oral devices that make a story interesting/ thrilling/ captivating.
» Use of facial expressions; smiling, frowning, nodding, blinking, eye contact etc
» Use of gestures; waving, pointing, clapping, swinging hands, greeting, etc
» Use of mimicry; imitation – Imitating the sounds typical to different characters to play their role in the performance.
» Vary tone/ tonal variation; raising and lowering voice/pitch to express different moods/ atmosphere (lower voice for love and expressive situations; and high for anger and surprising/exciting/happy and joyous situations).
Voice projection - Say a word or line in a sharp, sudden and loud voice to reach the audience as audibly and clearly as possible.
» Dramatization/ dramatic aspects – Enacting/ acting out scenes as if they are real ones. Performing scenes to make them appear real, memorable and exciting. For instance, jumping.
» Singing – Chanting/ singing in the course of narration to break the monotony of narration, enrich/ supplement the narration with certain information that would have otherwise been absent, allow audience participation in narration, capture the attention of the audience, allow a smooth transition from one scene to another, help build audience-narrator rapport, sets the mood of the narrative and comic relief.
16. State storytelling devices that would enliven the narrative; if employed.
» Use of facial expressions.
» Use of gestures.
» Use of mimicry.
» Change of tone/ tonal variation.
» Dramatization/ enactment of scenes.
» Singing.
17. State qualities of a good storyteller/ narrator:
He/ should have;
» Good memory; must have good retention of the narrative.
» Recreates the story afresh/ anew every time it is narrated.
» Confident, courageous and determined; composed.
» Creative; original and imaginative – should think artistically and creatively.
» Should be able to use mimicry; imitate the speech and actions.
» Should know his/ her (their) audience in terms of age, motivational level and preferences.
» Observant; should be a good observer of what is happening in the immediate environment; should master elements in the community and use/ apply them appropriately and easily during narration.
» Knowledgeable in terms of culture; should have interest in culture.
» Open-minded
» Employs dramatization and other para-linguistic features to enhance performance.
18. State at least 12 typical features of narratives and songs/ poems.
» Timelessness: The exact time when the narrative took place is not mentioned.
It is indicated by the presence of an opening and closing formula.
» Elements of fantasy: They have elements/ aspects of imagination; things beyond the experience of a normal human being; for instance animals or inanimate objects talking.
The presence of ogres.
» Moral lessons: Narratives have teachings (virtues/morals) drawn from them. They should be given positively. For instance, we should be honest.
» Direct Address/ direct speech: Speaker talks directly to another person, animal or inanimate object (apostrophe).
» Beginning/ opening formula:
ü Long ago….
ü Once upon a time….
ü There lived….
ü In older days….
Functions of the opening formula:
· It announces the start of the narrative.
· It attracts the attention of the audience.
· It identifies the narrator.
· It takes the audience to the world of fantasy.
» Closing/ ending formula:
ü That is the end of my story.
ü And that is my story.
ü Thereafter and they lived happily.
ü My story ends there.
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.
» Ideophones: Repetition of actual natural sounds in which the words are not found in the dictionary. For instance, grrrr…Ouch! Hahaha…, tap tap tap….
» Dialogue: Conversation between characters is evident in narratives.
This is to make it live, real and captivating.
» Personification: Human qualities/ attributes are given to animals or inanimate objects. For instance, stone talking or hare laughing.
» Repetition/ Refrain/ Chorus// Repetition of action: Aspects of repetition of words, phrases, clauses or sentences are evident too:
ü Emphasize on certain point(s), concept(s), issue(s), topic(s) or idea(s).
ü It also creates rhythm in the narrative.
ü It gives a mood to the narrative.
» Use of local/ ethnic words: Use of vernacular language i.e Wat, ‘Mikai, Misumba, chik, dak’ in order;
ü, Give the narrative a local flavour/ beauty.
ü, Provide setting; a place where the story was set.
» Mimicry: Imitation of words or sounds of other characters.
» Use of proverbs: This is to precisely/ briefly capture the moral lesson of the narrative.
» Use of songs: This is to;
ü Allows the audience to participate in singing.
ü Creates rapport between the audience and the singer.
ü Breaks the monotony of narration.
ü It acts as a code/ system of communication between characters.
ü It allows comic relief; makes audiences laugh hence relieving tension.
ü Sets the mood of the narrative.
ü Allows smooth transitions between scenes.
» Lack of geographical specificity: 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.
19. Highlight 10 general features of songs.
» Involves aspects of poetry and chants (singing and jumping).
» Community property.
» Have lots of traditional elements.
» Dynamic; keep on absorbing new themes.
» Reflect real experiences in contemporary society.
» Use images and symbols from the immediate environment.
» Have refrain/ chorus to allow audience participation.
» Are in verse form (group of lines that form a single unit).
» Use lots of repetition.
» Have rhetorical questions, similes, metaphors, rhyme and rhythm.
20. State 10 features of an oral song/poem.
» Repetition
» Transliteration/ direct translation
» Direct Address/ Apostrophe
» Short stanzas/ lines
» Parallelism; uniformity in structure
» Simple vocabulary.
» Figurative language.
21. Describe the poetic language/structure evident in songs.
» Repetition/ refrain
» Rhetorical/ rhetoric questions
» Similes
» Metaphors
» Rhythm
» Rhyme
» Verse form
22. Explain the aspects of integration that exist between oral songs and oral poetry:
» Sound pattern; rhyme – creates rhythm leading to musicality and memorability.
» Repetition/ refrain. – creates emphasis and musicality and aid in memorability.
» Figures of speech/ figurative language; simile, metaphors, personification etc.
» Rhetorical questions
23. Highlight key themes typical to legends:
» Prophecy and supernatural powers.
» Important service to the community.
» Major struggles.
» Betrayal.
» Victory and defeat
.
24. Identify 15 types of oral/ poems songs with their respective alternative names if applicable:
» Work songs
» Love songs
» Political songs
» Religious/ sacred songs
» Wedding songs
» Topical songs.
» Initiation/ circumcision songs
» Funeral songs/ dirges
» War songs
» Teasing/ satirical songs
» Praise/ panegyric songs.
» Lullaby songs
» Children play songs/ singing games
» Chain songs
» Child-naming songs
25. Highlight typical, key and specific features and functions of every type of song:
· Love songs;
ü Express love for the opposite sex; woo them.
ü They can express sorrow at being rejected.
ü Either performed by a group or individual.
ü They are romantic in nature.
ü They can involve dialogue between lovers.
· Wedding songs;
ü They are sung by the bride and/ or her companions.
ü They are characterized by pomp/ show and celebration.
ü They are usually accompanied by drums, shakers, jingles etc
ü, Praise the pride and groom and their family.
ü Express the role of the bride and that of the groom.
ü Express sorrow of leaving home and parting with friends.
ü, Warn of the challenges likely to be faced at the groom’s place.
ü, Enhance a happy mood during the wedding time.
· War songs:
They are sung in preparation for, during and after the war by warriors.
ü They are highly repetitive.
ü Express the fighter’s prowess/ heroism and courage.
ü Are exaggerated.
ü May scorn/ condemn opponent.
ü, Praise political leaders.
ü Sung with lots of gusto/ enthusiasm/ passion/ enjoyment/ delight/ pleasure/ zest.
· Sacred songs:
ü They have stanzas and a chorus.
ü They are structurally repetitive.
ü They are slow and solemn.
ü They have a steady rhythm.
ü They address a supreme being and emphasize people’s helplessness.
· Work songs:
ü They are hardly accompanied except by the sounds of work tools.
ü They are fast to create a rhythm for work.
ü They are repeated over to last the duration of the job at hand.
ü They may extol/ praise hard work and denounce/ condemn laziness.
ü They may ridicule/ condemn/ deride a known miser or lazy person in the community.
· Initiation/ Circumcision songs:
ü They are sung by initiates and elders.
ü They have elaborate accompaniments like shakers, horns, drums etc
ü They encourage the initiates to be brave.
ü They mock cowardice.
ü They emphasize the new roles of the initiates as men and women in the community.
ü They appreciate the forefathers of the community for upholding and bequeathing/ living this tradition for them.
ü They raise the bravery of the initiates.
· Dirges/ Funeral songs:
ü They are sung by mourners.
ü They are sombre/ sad/ melancholic.
ü They are repetitive.
ü They may be fast or slow.
ü They are accompanied by a lot of drumming and dancing to cheer up the bereaved.
ü They express sorrow and disbelief at the loss of a loved one.
ü They praise the achievement and virtues of the dead.
· Lullabies:
ü They are sung softly.
ü Are repetitive.
ü Have a slow rocking rhythm.
ü Have soothing words that even lie to the child. Some lie that mother has gone away to bring the child a tantalizing/ enticing/alluring gift.
· Singing games:
ü They are short and quick-changing from song to song to avoid children getting bored.
ü They are repetitive.
ü They are characterized by mockery/ ridicule.
ü Are highly playful.
ü Are rhythmic.
26. Compare and contrast myths and legends:
Similarities;
» They are stories- they have plot and characters.
» Based on oral tradition.
» They are mostly transmitted orally.
» Usually specific to a group of people.
» Involve things from the immediate environment; forests, lakes etc
» Involve gods and supernatural world.
» They are believed to be true.
» They tell about someone or events in the past.
Differences:
» Legends are solely based on exploits/ achievements of human characters while myths sometimes only involve gods and animals.
» Some legends are attributed to historical characters, like Lwanda Magere while myths are purely fictional/ imaginary.
» Legends revolve around historical characters, events, their struggles and achievements while myths revolve around the origin/ creation of people and other things (customs, taboos etc), and events in their environment such as death.
» Myths are religious (sacred) while legends are historical.
|
Legends |
Myths |
|
1. Involve exploits/ achievements of human characters. |
Involve gods and animals. |
|
2. Involve historical characters like Lwanda Magere |
Involve fictional/ imaginary characters. |
|
3. They explain events, struggles and achievements of real, human characters. |
They explain the origin/ creation of people and other things (customs, taboos, death and other natural occurrences) |
|
4. They are religious (sacred). |
They are historical. |
27. Briefly describe the term didactic function in literature:
They refer to the educative function.
28. State the main features of panegyric (praise) songs:
» They use extensive metaphors; comparing people to animals to promote certain admirable/ valuable qualities.
» They glorify people especially good leaders with admirable qualities.
29. Similarities between tongue twisters and proverbs.
» They both use mnemonics, sound patterns, alliteration and assonance.
» They are brief.
» They are fixed.
» They are communally accepted.
30. Highlight the key features of short forms; proverbs, riddles, tongue-twisters, puns and jokes:
· Proverbs:
» Precise/ short
» Metaphorical; have hidden meanings
» Have fixed wordings.
» Express community’s wisdom and philosophy (principle)
» Serious statement in nature.
» Based on facts.
» They can have two parts; proposition and completion.
· Riddles:
» Short/ brief
» Metaphorical; have a word puzzle that requires a solution.
» Require two people to complete
» Informal
» In question-answer format.
» Symmetrical (show balance and trimness in structure)
» Has the opening formula
» Performed by children
· Tongue twisters:
» Are brief statements.
» Are alliterative
» May or may not make sense
» Maybe formed at any time as they are not hard and fast.
31. Define the terms: proverb, riddle, tongue-twister, pun, parable, idioms and joke.
32. Describe the key aspects of the plot commonly evident in narratives.
» Exposition – The beginning
» Rising action
» Climax - The middle
» Falling action (denouement)
» Resolution – The end.
33. Identify the things lost when a tongue-twister is translated:
» Authenticity; accuracy, originality
» Local flavour; beauty.
» Connotative meaning.
» Sound pattern; alliteration/rhythm/ musicality.
34. Define the term translation and transcription in orature.
Translation: changing oral literature material from the original language to a language of study – for instance, English.
Transcription: writing down oral literature material from a tape without altering anything.
35. Explain the term respondent in two different contexts:
a) A person who accepts/ reacts to a challenge given by a challenger in riddling process.
b) A person who answers the informant upon questioning during the interview.
36. Explain the importance of opening and closing formula:
a) Opening formula;
ü Marks the start of the narrative.
ü Takes the audience to the world of fantasy (imagination).
b) Closing formula;
ü Marks the end of the narrative.
ü Brings the audience back to the world of reality.
ü Invites another narrator to take his/ her turn.
37. State and explain 4 classifications of proverbs:
» Advisory proverbs; advice/ counsel.
» Cautionary proverbs; warn/ caution.
» Normative proverbs; reinforce/ strengthen what the society considers desirable/ valuable: ‘All that glitters is not gold.’
» Summative proverbs; summarize words of wisdom to give a moral lesson.
38. State 6 aspects of performance:
» Use of costume
» Intonation
» Soundtrack; recorded music accompanying performance.
» Gestures
» Movements
» Props/ décor; anything movable/ portable on stage.
39. State 5 ways of beginning a story to attract the attention of the audience:
» Telling a relevant proverb
» Giving an appropriate, summarizing riddle.
» Using an appropriate opening phrase/ introductory statement: “I have a story/ take a story/ story story”
» Challenging them with a tongue-twister.
» Ringing a bell or drum
» Whistling
» Clearing throat
» Clapping
40. Outline the social functions of all short forms:
Proverbs:
» Entertainment
» Recording history
» Cultural transmission
» For education purposes
» A measure of wisdom
» Promotion of morality/ social norms
» Enrich language
» To console
» To praise
» To compare situations and things
» To caution/ warn.
Riddles:
» Entertainment
» Recording history.
» A commentary on human life.
» Linguistic training
» A form of education
» To sharpen critical thinking/ wits.
» Tongue twisters:
» Entertainment.
» A pastime activity.
41. Identify some social/ socio-cultural, socio-economic and economic activities evident in some narratives:
» Farming
» Fishing
» Animal husbandry/ pastoralism
» Hunting
» Beekeeping
» Brewing
» Cattle raiding; social activity
.
42. Explain the meaning of fieldwork.
43. State reasons why fieldwork is necessary:
44. Describe key stages in fieldwork:
45. State the problems faced during fieldwork.
46. State the importance of a song during narration:
» Allows the audience to participate in singing.
» Creates rapport between the audience and the singer.
» Breaks the monotony of narration.
» It acts as a code/ system of communication between characters.
» It allows comic relief; makes audiences laugh hence relieving tension.
» Sets the mood of the narrative.
» Allows smooth transition between scenes.
47. Describe some moral lessons derived from oral narratives appropriately.
NOTE: They must be framed/ written positively. Should use NOT/ NEVER.
» We should (learn to) be honest.
» We should be generous.
» We should share what we have/ get.
» We should be obedient.
» We should choose friends wisely.
48. Based on some animals, describe their character traits appropriately.
» Hare; intelligent, wise.
» Hyena: greedy, gullible.
49. Identify some themes based on some oral narratives.
» Greed
» Disobedience
» Jealousy
» Betrayal
» Treachery.
» Dishonesty
» Hypocrisy.
» Pride
» Hatred
» Gullibility