ORALITY AND AFRICA

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• OralOralOralOral literature is the foundation upon which written literature is built. Prior to 1495AD, what could be described as imaginative or artistic creation used among people to entertain, pass on experiences was passed on to generation from generation by performed expression. Fairytale, myth, rituals, story-telling and others are cultural reflexive depicting creation and awareness of races.

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• In Africa, each cultural group is deeply rooted in and blessed with different traditional practices. These practices are geared by their (people's) perspectives and sharpened by experiences on the cosmos. For instance, different rituals are performed psychologically to appease gods which are believed to be responsible for providing or substituting misfortunes. Also, there are different festivals celebrated with their significance. Yam festival is celebrated almost across all tribes in Nigeria. It is celebrated among Igbos, Calabar, and Yoruba predominantly and according to findings, no one is permitted to eat yam until after celebration when the king must have blessed yam for the people to eat.

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• Story-telling is also part of our traditional practices. Every tribe bas their common story-telling revolving around a specific animal. Tales among Yoruba always revolve around tortoise, it hare among Hausas and Akans in Ghana have their fable all about spider. The stories apart from being fable are genuinely told reflecting beauty of the culture they represent.

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• These practices are fading out lately in this generation mainly because of 'civilisation'. Does it mean that these practices are ' uncivilized'? Oh no, it is because attention has swiftly changed to technological world where children prefer to watch on electronics rather than sitting in a place and listening to stories. No wonder panegyrics, one of the beautiful practices become difficult to come about with this generation.

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• @rankyb deems it fit to use this platform to 'glorify' some of these practices again. As a result, I will be posting folktales as passed on this platform from any culture in Africa. You can follow me to read for pleasure and also pass on to your children/siblings. There are lessons to learn from legendary stories, myth, and even rituals apart from sharing the beauty in African culture.
• Thanks!