The African Oral Tradition Name: _____________________

Background:
Although many African cultures used writing systems for record keeping and other purposes,
African literature before the twentieth century is primarily an oral tradition. One reason is
because of the tonal quality of many African languages, in which words change meaning depending
on the tone in which they are spoken. For example, in a Bantu language, one word can mean
payment if spoken in a high tone and crossroads if spoken in a low tone. Another reason the
African literary tradition is largely oral is simply that the oral tradition has been so strongly
developed in African cultures: Bards, storytellers, town criers, and oral historians have been part
of everyday life in African cultures for centuries. In West Africa, for example, the traditional
keepers of oral literature were the griots, historians and storytellers who can be thought of us
living libraries. Today, a griot may be a professional story teller, a singer, or an entertainer, but
in the past griots memorized and transmitted their nations histories, laws, and literature.
The literary forms of Africa are many and varied, yet they share certain features. Striking images of
nature, poignant insights into the human condition, and subtle ironies speak clearly to modern
readers, transcending barriers of time and culture.
Oral tradition refers to works passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. The
works of oral traditionworks such as myths, provers, and epicsoften reveal a cultures values,
wisdom, and humor. Here are some other key characteristics typically found in the oral tradition:
Characters with superhuman or magical powers
Animals that behave as humans
Important lessons or questions about life
Repetition
Think of an example of a work in the oral tradition. It could be a fairty tale, a myth, or a wise
saying that youve heard. Write about this story below and explain what makes it interesting to
you:
Read the story The Five Helpers on page 510. After reading, answer the following 4 questions:
1. Describe the initial conflict in the story. Who are the various people who help to solve this
problem?

2. The final line poses a question to the reader. How would you answer this question? Support
your response with clear reasons.

3. This final question invites discussion. What do you think is the value of debating a question
to which there is no correct answer? Explain.

4. What elements of the African Oral Tradition are evident in this story? Provide the elements
and an example from the text.

Read the story Talk on page 511. After reading, answer the following 4 questions:
1. What is ironic or unexpected about the fishermans response to the farmer?

2. Do you think the last line is a satisfying ending to this story? Why or why not?

3. What elements of the African Oral Tradition are evident in this story? Provide the elements
and an example from the text.
Read the story Why We Tell Stories About Spider on page 508. Before you read, please see the
information regarding trickster tales at the top of the page. Read this italicized section, and
answer the following questions:
1. What is a trickster tale?

2. What is an archetype? You will be required to know this definition!

Read the story. After reading, please answer the following 4 questions:
1. How does this story fit the elements of the African Oral Tradition?

2. How is Anaanu a "trickster" character? Is he more clever and cunning? More deceitful and
treacherous? Why?

3. Do you think he earned the right to have stories told about him? Why or why not?

4. What cultural lessons or values can you take from this story? (What is the theme?)
Works in the oral tradition endure, in part, because they communicate important lessons or
questions about life. Think about the stories that youve read for this assignment, the one you
addressed on the first page, or others that youve heard in the past. Choose one and write an
explanation of why you think the story has been told for so long.

If you have time left, write your own short story that contains at least two of the elements of the
African Oral Tradition: