Home

LNGS 307: Oral Literature

Credits: 
3

This course surveys various forms of oral literature in Africa, and discusses theories of
composition and aesthetic formations. It will examine the dynamics of form, language, style,
content and performance of verbal genres including: libation poetry, praise appellations, abuse
poetry, dirge, narrative forms, proverbs, riddles, drum poetry, traditional songs, and popular
music. It also considers how such genres are perceived and evaluated in the contexts in which
they occur, and how they have been adapted to deal with contemporary and emerging trends.