Forms of oral literature: Oral Narratives

The word narrative simply means a story or a tale. Sometimes certain types of narratives are referred to using the term folk tale.
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oral-narratives

What is a narrative?

The word narrative simply means a story or a tale. Sometimes certain types of narratives are referred to using the term folk tale.

What are some oral narratives in English?

There are various types of oral narratives in English. These narratives serve various purposes such as giving historical accounts, giving the origin of things, while others are used to entertain. Some of the common types of narratives include;

a)      Myths

b)      Legends

c)      Trickster narratives

d)      Aetiological narratives

e)      Dilemma narratives

f)       Monster/ogre narratives

a.       Myths

Myths explain the origin of a group of people with a common origin. Myths can also explain the early development of a group of people. 

Some of the common features of myths are:

        i.            Myths explain the origin of a people with a common origin.

      ii.            Most myths contain superhuman beings or divine heroes

    iii.            Myths are closely related to religious beliefs and practices of particular people

    iv.            Myths are believed to be true

b. Legends

Legends, also known as hero stories, explain heroic people connected to heroic events that happened in the past. While myths go to the very beginning of the existence of particular people, legends revolve around particular historical characters or events with characters that have supernatural abilities. 

Common features of legends are:

        i.            The major character in legends has superhuman abilities

      ii.            Legends are based on some historical facts

    iii.            Legends contain exaggeration and imaginative additions/elements of fantasy

    iv.            Legends are believed to be true

      v.            The legend is often betrayed and eventually killed/ captured by the enemy

    vi.            The legend suffers or sacrifices a lot for the sake of his/her community

c. Trickster Narratives

Trickster narratives primarily involve one character (usually a physically small character) playing tricks on another character (usually physically strong and a big character.) Trickster narratives, in other words, involve one character practicing his cunning on others. This is often by feigning friendship to others to exploit the friendship for selfish gains. 

Common features of trickster narratives are:

        i.            Trickster narratives involve a character who practices his cunning on others

      ii.            Trickster narratives put small animals against big animals

    iii.            The small animals always emerge victorious over the bigger animals

    iv.            The bigger animals are physically bigger but are foolish/gullible/easy to trick

d. Aetiological narratives

Aetiological narratives are also known as explanatory or why narratives. The narratives simply explain the meaning or the reason behind the existence of natural phenomena. The natural phenomena may involve the behavior/characteristics of a particular animal, extra-terrestrial bodies, plants, or even landscapes.

 Some of the common characteristics of aetiological narratives are:

        i.            Aetiological narratives explain the meaning or the reason behind the existence of natural phenomena

      ii.            They borrow heavily from the cultural background of a community

    iii.            They have a moral lesson

    iv.            They answer the question why?

e. Dilemma narratives

Dilemma narratives present the audience with a dilemma, a situation in which two or more alternative choices have to be made with none of the choices being easy. The dilemma situation requires passing judgment on ethical, moral, or legal grounds. 

Some common characteristics of dilemma stories are:

        i.            The main character in a trickster narrative has to make a tough choice.

      ii.            The narratives end with a question/suspense

    iii.            The narratives have a moral lesson

    iv.            The main character regrets the decision that he/she makes

f.  Monster narratives.

Ogre narratives are also called ogre narratives. The narratives involve monsters – beings that are neither human nor animal. The monster characters are a creation of fertile human imagination and fantasy. 

Common characteristics of monster narratives are:

        i.            Monster narratives involve the interaction of humans with the monsters

      ii.            Monster characters are a creation of human imagination/fantasy

    iii.            The monsters are evil and ferocious creatures

    iv.            Monster narratives have a moral lesson

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