THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL LITERATURE IN SOCIETY

Oral literature is meaningful and useful to us in many and different ways. It is only material from the past but also a great deal of new material is being composed and performed today. People everywhere including those in towns make up stories, jokes, sayings and songs about their experiences and they share them by performing them in theatres (professionally), among friends and family (casually) and in school (institutionally).

Both old materials from the past and new material performed by our oral artists is useful to us in a some ways:

ORAL LITERATURE AND ENTERTAINMENT

First, all human beings need o relax, to amuse themselves and get their minds off the dull struggles, worries and sorrows of life. An exciting well-told story, a sweet melodious and rhythmic song, or even a simple exchange of jokes and riddles soothes our minds and refreshes our brains.

Secondly, entertainment is a useful means of educating and informing people. We are attracted to stories, proverbs or songs because they are enjoyable. Moreover, they contain useful information and skills which we learn as we enjoy ourselves.

ORAL LITERATURE AND AWARENESS

Oral literature makes us aware of ourselves, other human beings, our environment and our history. Stories, songs, proverbs, riddles and jokes in oral literature use colorful words and vivid images to describe human beings, their feelings and their behavior towards one another. These performances also portray natural phenomena like landscapes, plants and creatures in the same lively language. They also recount events and happenings in our lives and in the history of our societies. Hence these performances stimulate our observation and imagination. We begin to understand the things described better and in a new light. Oral literature gives us insight into people, things and events.