Orality, history and historical reconstruction

Abstract

The importance of oral tradition in African history cannot be over-emphasized. It is the mains through which the true history, culture and customs of African societies can be understood. As the main vehicle for transmitting African oral tradition, orality is undoubtedly important in studying African history. Over the years, efforts at making African history, culture and customs intelligible to others have led to situations whereby orality, as a vehicle through which oral tradition is transmitted, is pushed to the background. In its place, oral history-the collection of historical information using audiotapes, videotapes or transcriptions of planned interviews-predominates. Using personal cognomen and family panegyric, funerary dirge and bridal poetry among Yoruba and Xhosa peoples of Nigeria and South Africa, this chapter shows orality still persists, most especially in traditional courts and palaces, religious and secular spaces-the very crucibles of change and continuities in African societies.

Department(s)

History

Document Type

Article

DOI

10.1007/978-3-030-55517-7_4

Publication Date

4-6-2021

Journal Title

Palgrave Handbook of African Oral Traditions and Folklore

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