2. . Africa possesses both written and unwritten traditions. Oral literature is by definition dependent on a performer who formulates it in words on a specific occasion

3. Elements of Performance Storytellers express themselves uniquely with any of the following elements of oral literature: 1. expressiveness of tone, 2. gesture, 3. facial expression 4. dramatic use of pause and rhythm 5. the interplay of passion, dignity, or humor 6. receptivity to the reactions of the audience, etc. These are not merely used to embellish stories, but are an important and flexible part of African oral literature.

4. Elements of Performance  The nature of the performance depends on what the story is trying to depict.  For example, the brief Akan dirge (a short poem or song): Amaago, won’t you look? Won’t you look at my face? When you are absent, we ask of you. You have been away long: your children are waiting for you (Nketia 1955: 184)  The printed words give you only a glimpse of what the poem is truly saying. This particular poem deals with a funeral, and its oral story comes to life through the singer’s beauty of voice, her sobs, facial expression, vocal expressiveness and movements.

5. Mende performer, Sierra Leone, 1982. Note the performer’s gestures and the clapping audience/chorus, essential for the performance (photo Donald Cosentino).

6. Authorship  Authorship in oral literature is highly questioned.  Oral literature requires the performer to use a basic story and interpret according to one’s own style as well as the audience.  Therefore, authorship is usually difficult to determine.

7. Characters and Themes  The same general plots may be centered around certain characters, areas, or even occasions.  Characters and themes of African stories often recur across the continent: Animals like the wily hare, tortoise, spider, and their larger dupes People who are ordinary and extraordinary, some legendary heroes or ancestors, and a few supernatural beings Personified objects like the part of the body, vegetables, minerals, the heavenly bodies, or abstractions like hunger, death, or truth

8. Singing and African Oral Traditions  Songs are characteristic of African tales all over the continent. They do not occur in every story, and in some cases there are local distinctions between ‘prose’ and ‘choric’ stories.  The singing, at times, becomes the main element of the story.  Singing often adds both enjoyment and skill to the storyteller. In some areas, this musical element is further enhanced by drum or instrumental accompaniment, or prelude to the narration.  Songs also call for active participation from the audience. The common pattern is for the words of the song, whether familiar or new, to be introduced by the narrator, who then acts as leader and soloist while the audience provides the chorus.

9. African Proverbs  In many African cultures, language, imagery, and the expression of abstract ideas are condensed into short phrases called proverbs.  The purpose of proverbs is to teach a lesson about family, power, wealth and authority and other important topics, or to provide valuable lessons at critical times, or to share a philosophy.

10. African Proverbs  One of the marks of a true proverb is its general acceptance as the popular expression of some truth.  The general truth touched on in a proverb can be conveyed in several ways: more or less literally through a simile through a metaphor (most common) by some poetic quality such as rhythm Hyperbole and exaggeration are also used.

11. The Use of Proverbs  The more proverbs a man can use, the more effective he is considered to be.  Proverbs are also very commonly used to smooth social friction and help individuals to adjust themselves to their positions.

12. African Proverbs  The same proverb may be used as advice, instruction, or warning, and may be cited in situations that may seem far removed from the original application, or even in contradictory senses.  Thus the saying: ‘We watch the bird’s neck while he is talking’ can be used in at least three situations with different meanings: 1. as a retort when someone weak makes a threat, meaning that before taking a threat seriously we should look to see who makes it 2. as an expression of doubt about the truth of what another is saying 3. and, finally, as an indication that everyone agrees with a speaker

13. African Proverbs  The proverbs gain their significance from the situations in which they are used. Proverbs reflect morals or beliefs of a culture. Proverbs express a common truth or experience that all humans can understand.  Usually use some literary device to help convey message.  African proverbs use aspects of nature.

14. Ms. Ophekia Brown Carter  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73O AM5qaf-o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73O AM5qaf-o

15. Example of Oral Literature  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9Kd 8hAOIOE&feature=related https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9Kd 8hAOIOE&feature=related