Why did West African societies use oral history?

Why did West African societies use oral history?

West Africa’s oral histories tell us a more complete story than traditional post-colonial narratives. With recollections of the past often told through idioms and long, enthralling storytelling, oral histories are the vessel between the present and the past, and in many ways act as a tool of cultural preservation.

What do oral traditions tell us about African society?

Every society passes information about its history, myths, and customs along to new generations. In many African societies such material has been transmitted orally, through the spoken word.

What role does oral history play in modern studies of life in West Africa?

What is the importance of oral tradition in West Africa? Oral Traditions make it possible for a society to pass knowledge across genera- tions without writing. They help people make sense of the world and are used to teach children and adults about important aspects of their culture.

What is the role of the oral tradition in today’s society?

Oral traditions, transmitted in the form of tales, myths and legends, fairytales, songs, especially epic songs and poems, proverbs, riddles and other genres, form an important treasury of many a people’s cultural heritage even today.

What was the role of a griot in West Africa?

The griot profession is hereditary and has long been a part of West African culture. The griots’ role has traditionally been to preserve the genealogies, historical narratives, and oral traditions of their people; praise songs are also part of the griot’s repertoire.

Why does Africa have a rich tradition of oral history?

There is a rich tradition throughout Africa of oral storytelling. Oral traditions guide social and human morals, giving people a sense of place and purpose. There is often a lesson or a value to instill, and the transmission of wisdom to children is a community responsibility.

What is the purpose of oral tradition?

Oral tradition is important in all societies, despite the reliance of some cultures on written records and accounts. These traditions account for the ways things are and often the way they should be, and assist people in educating the young and teaching important lessons about the past and about life.

What are the advantages of oral tradition?

Oral tradition helps the historian to determine historical trends and events. Through the comparison of several oral traditions, the historian can eliminate biases, inconsistencies or inaccuracies in the written records they are using, to come out with an accurate historical account of the past.

What is the importance of storytelling in African culture?

Storytelling in Africa has been manifested in many ways and was used to serve many purposes. It was used to interpret the universe, resolve natural and physical phenomena, teach morals, maintain cultural values, pass on methods of survival, and to praise God.

Why was music and storytelling important in African societies?

Who are the African griots?

A griot is a West African storyteller, singer, musician, and oral historian. They train to excel as orators, lyricists and musicians. The griot keeps records of all the births, deaths, marriages through the generations of the village or family.

What are the types of oral tradition?

They are: verbal, materials, custom, belief, motion, and music and song. Verbal or oral traditions rely on the spoken word: jokes, riddles, stories, legends, rhymes, proverbs, language, and naming.

What was the role of oral tradition in Africa?

He built his fortune through “merchanting” activities, shipping insurance, ship-owning, renting out warehouses and renting out housing. He invested in commodity producing estates in the Caribbean. He was a strong advocate of “planting” and a member of the Liverpool West Indian Association.

How did the British destroy the oral tradition?

To make true, non-Christian symbols & writings, non-Islamic symbols & writings or non-white symbols & writings were destroyed at various points: for instance the ancient Palace of the Asantehene in Ghana was blown up by the British in its entirety.

Why was oral tradition important to the Rashidun Caliphate?

When the Rashidun caliphates compiled the Quran, they needed support from Hadiths, and companions of their prophet. If “pre-history” is before writing and the earliest human ancestor dates to 3.3 million years ago, was it a fool that developed “agriculture” after eons of “hunter-gathering”?