Perspective Of Oral Literature And African Culture In Benin Kingdom As Portrayed By Different Authors In Some Selected Book
Need help with a related project topic or New topic? Send Us Your Topic
DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE PROJECT MATERIAL
Perspective Of Oral Literature And African Culture In Benin Kingdom As Portrayed By Different Authors In Some Selected Book
ABSTRACT
This essay examines the perspective of oral literature and African culture in the Bini Kingdom as portrayed by several authors in a few selected novels. The western colonists believed that Africa lacked literature and referred to it as the “dark continent.” This investigation demonstrates that Africa is rich in oral tradition, with the Binis being particularly prevalent.
The study seeks to provide a more specific explanation of oral tradition by reflecting on the numerous difficulties that oral tradition has helped to solve. The work is divided into five chapters: chapter one focusses on understanding oral tradition, chapter two on a literature review of earlier African literature, chapter three on research methodology
chapter four provides answers to the research questions posed in chapter one, which guide the study, and chapter five presents summary findings and recommendations.
Chapter one
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Oral literature, also known as folk literature, exists in the realm of the spoken word, whereas literature functions in the realm of the written word. It consequently serves as a more fundamental component of culture in general, yet in many respects similar to what one could expect from literature. The Ugandan scholar Piozirima coined the term oratory to avoid an oxymoron, but oral literature is still more widespread in academic and popular writing.
Before the advent of literacy, Africans, particularly Benin, had their own forms of culture and societal norms, but there were no forms of formal knowledge of reading and writing that could be used in documenting and transmitting the people’s rich cultural and historical background, instead relying on oral transmission to pass down customs and cultural beliefs from generation to generation. Oral literature is a creative text spread by word of mouth.
It relates to the tradition of inventive verbal productions. Stories, traditional beliefs, and melodies from preliterate communities have changed and been passed down through oral tradition from generation to generation. It also includes riddles, pins, tongue twisters, proverbs, recitations, chants, songs, and stories; in other words, it represents the verbal part of folklore. T
he Benin Oral Poet frequently composes and performs his art vocally, coming face to face with his audience.
Lore is viewed in societies with strong oral convergence practices as a broad term that encompasses both literature and any written literature, including sophisticated writings, as well as visual and performance art, which may interact with these forms, extend their expression, or provide additional expressive media.
Thus, even when no phrase in local languages precisely translates ‘oral literature’, what defines oral literature today is already considered to be part of all of the lore channels via which a society conducts significant and common cultural affairs among its members verbally.
Oral literature as a concept after CE 19th century antecedents was more widely circulated by Hector Munto Chadwick and Nora Kershaw, Chadwick in their comparative work on the growth of literature (1932-40).
In 1960, Albert B. Lord published the singer of fluidity in both ancient and later text and oral formulaic principles Benin used during composition in performance, particularly by contemporary narratives.
Identification “Edo” is the term given to the Benin Kingdom’s people, language, capital city, and kingdom. They were well-known for their brass and ivory craftsmanship
as well as their intricate political structure. Edo is linguistically affiliated with the edoid cluster of languages, which is part of the kwa language family and the Niger Kardofanian superfamily.
Edo speakers include not just the edo people, but also the ishan, ivbiosakon, akoko edo, and inem. Many contemporary speakers speak English as well as the languages of neighbouring Nigerian communities.
History and Cultural Relations.
The Edo people have probably lived in the same location for millennia. Channels archaeological investigation (1975), at a location in what is now Benin City. Suggest that a substantial population with some level of political organisation may have existed as early as the end of the late eleventh century, but was definitely in existence by the end of the fifteenth.
Oral legends mention an early dynasty of monarchs known as Ogiso (a name that can refer to the dynasty as a whole or to specific regulations penned by that dynasty), which ruled.
It was thought that until the twelve and thirteenth centuries, when the Oranmiyan dynasty of Yoruba descent took power, the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries were a period of conquering and cultural blossoming.
Many of Benin’s notable artworks were constructed specifically for the rulers. Ewuare, Ozolua, Esigie Orhogba, and Ehengbuda. During the reign of the monarchs, the empire exercised varied degrees of dominance over neighbouring Yoruba-Igbo and Edo speaking communities, even extending its power to Badagry and Ouidah.
This expansion was already underway when Portuguese explorers arrived in the quarter of the fifteenth century. They were interested in propagating Christianity and expanding commerce, and trade with the Netherlands, France, and England ensued. Oral tradition documents show that the kingdom’s influence shifted over the years.
A dynastic crisis in the seventeenth century resulted in a civil war that lasted from approximately 1690 to 1920, disrupting the kingdom’s political and cultural life, but peace was restored by monarchs Akenzuwa I and Eresoyen in the mid-eighteenth century.
Benin came into conflict with the British, who saw the kingdom as a barrier to their economic and political progress in the region. In 1987, a British consular official decided to visit the city despite the king’s instructions to wait until significant religious ceremonies were completed.
The consul and his company were ambushed, and the most of them were slaughtered. The British soon formed the “punitive expedition,” a vengeful army that attacked and captured Benin City in February 1897, setting fires throughout the city and seizing thousands of brass and ivory sculptures as war loot.
The reigning king, Ovonramwen, was exiled and died, and the Benin Kingdom was integrated into the southern province of the Nigerian protectorate. In 1914, the British united Nigeria and restored the monarchy in Benin, allowing Ovonramwen’s son Eweka II to ascend to the throne.
They developed a system of native administration (a type of indirect authority), a consistent monetary system, direct taxation, government schools, and a communications network of roads and trains.
Early in the twentieth century, the church missionary society and the society of African Missions arrived in Benin, but they had less success than in other parts of Nigeria.
When Ngeria gained independence in 1960, the kingdom became part of the territory’s western political boundaries, and its name changed several times. It was separated from the western region in 1963, and renamed Bendel State in 1976. Bendel State was separated in 1993, and the Benin Kingdom is now part of Edo State.
Despite all of the political, social, and cultural unrest that occurred, as well as the British invasion of the kingdom, which looted the kingdom of its symbols, the people continue to practise their forefathers’ cultural practices, which include the Izomo naming ceremony, the Igue festival, the Ekasa dance, the Oluko dance, the Bini Proverbs and adages, among others.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
This research is necessary at a time when people have strayed from their cultural beliefs and embraced Western culture. Throughout this study, we will strive to delve deeper into oral tradition and the numerous oral books utilised to pass it down from generation to generation. This study will also highlight the contributions of oral tradition and its influence on our political, academic, and social lives as Africans, particularly in Benin.
1.3 Significance of the Study
Because oral literature is such an important part of culture, this research can help promote the cultural beliefs of the Bini people, who are on the edge of extinction. This study could also lead to the ethical revolution that our society requires in order to remould its population.
Many people who have a more in-depth grasp of oral literature will find this study useful. It would assist the government in minimising cultural and social conflicts among Africans, particularly the Binis, by incorporating its findings into mass literacy initiatives.
1.4 The purpose of the study
The goal of this investigation includes:
Examining the oral culture and historical context of the Edo people.
Identifying the importance of oral literature in societal development, specifically in Benin.
Critically examining the original communities.
Examining oral tradition’s dedication to communal cooperation and progress.
Critically examining oral tradition’s dedication to resolving communal disagreements and establishing social standards.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.
In order to give direction to the investigation, several research questions were established whose answers would be sought to help give direction to the researcher in carrying out the study.
What is oral literature?
What are the benefits and resilience of oral traditions?
What are the key issues in critique and oral literature?
What are the speech patterns in oral tradition?
1.6 Limitations of the Study
During the course of doing this research, various challenges that prevented a smooth completion of the work include:
It was difficult to identify and select available text materials given the project’s limited writing period.
Materials: The availability of appropriate and relevant books.
Epileptic power supply: PHCN’s poor power supply hampered the smooth conduct of the investigation.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Literature: It is all part of an expression, not just what is being expressed, but also how it is expressed.
Oral: what is said and passed down orally rather than in writing.
African: A person from Africa, particularly a black person.
Culture refers to the habits and beliefs, arts, ways of life, and social organisation of a specific country or people.
Kingdom: A country ruled by a king or queen, or a territory controlled by a certain individual, or where a particular thing or idea is significant.
Perspective: The ability to think about problems and make sensible decisions without overstating their importance.
Need help with a related project topic or New topic? Send Us Your Topic