Oral literature in africa by ruth finnegan, paperback. The book is available as a free pdf and ebook download thanks to the. It includes a new introduction, additional images and an updated bibliography, as well as its original chapters on poetry, prose, drum language and drama, and an overview of the social, linguistic and historical background of oral literature in africa. Oral literature in africa by ruth finnegan goodreads. The final note must be, however, to point to the great need for further research into this subject. Oral literature in africa by ruth finnegan books on. Oral literature in africa by ruth finnegan bookfusion. It was so frustrating to me that my book has been largely unavailable to readers in africa, she says.
Ruth finnegans oral literature in africa was first published in 1970, and since then has been widely praised as one of. Based on years of fieldwork, the study traces the history. But in spite of these limitations, the general purpose of the book will be fulfilled to show that african oral literature is a subject worthy of study and interest, and to. Oral literature in africa ebook written by ruth finnegan. Open book publishers, 2012 social science 614 pages. Oral literature or folk literature corresponds in the sphere of the spoken oral word to literature as literature operates in the domain of the written word. In addition to the insights i have gained from the extensive fieldwork and analyses undertaken by my. This digital version is available to download free of charge. This study of oral tradition in african literature is borne from the awareness that african verbal arts still survive in works of discerning writers and in the conscious exploration of its tropes, perspectives, philosophy and consciousness, its complementary realism, and ontology, for the delineation of authentic african response to memory, history and other possible comparisons. Section three examines the place of oral literature in modern african literature as well as the steps necessary to ensure proper recording and study of the subject. It presents the most comprehensive survey of the field of oral literature in africa.
Thank you for your interest in oral literature in africa. Based on years of fieldwork, the study traces the history of. Buy oral literature in africa world oral literature updated by finnegan, ruth isbn. About the book ruth finnegans oral literature in africa was first published in 1970, and since then has been widely praised as one of the most important books in its field. Please consider donating to obp and purchasing our books to support our work. African literature is literature of or from africa and includes oral literature or orature, in the term coined by ugandan scholar pio zirimu.
The second section presents the major types of oral literature practiced in africa, the principal concerns of the literature, and its relation to other forms of traditional art. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. As george joseph notes on the first page of his chapter on african literature in understanding contemporary africa, while the european perception of literature generally refers to written letters, the african concept includes oral literature. The comprehensive account of the development of african literature from its beginnings in oral tradition to its contemporary expression in the writings of africans in various african and european languages provides insight, both broad and deep, into the black intellect. African literature refers to literature of and from africa. With her 1976 book oral literature in africa, ruth finnegan almost singlehandedly created the field of ethnography of language. The significance of performance in actualization, transmission, and composition. African literature oral traditions and the written word. So much work has been done on african oral literature in the two decades since the publication of ruth finnegans epochmaking and immensely useful oral literature in africa that there is need for a more uptodate critical introduction such as i have tried to provide in this book.
Ruth finnegans oral literature in africa was first published in 1970, and since then has. Oral literature, the standard forms or genres of literature found in societies without writing. Oral and written storytelling traditions have had a parallel development, and in many ways they have influenced each other. Ruth finnegan is a visiting research professor and emeritus professor in the faculty of social sciences at the open university. Oral literature in africa world oral literature by ruth finnegan is a comprehensive study guide with a wellresearched look into the history of oral folklore and storytelling that has been around since the beginning of humankind. Now, finnegan has gathered and updated a selection of her best work on oral literature, performance, and the creative use of language in africa, along with several new essays that broaden and extend her ideas. The former are relatively well knownat any rate the recent writings in european languages much work remains to be publicized on earlier arabic and local written literatures in africa. Amongst the topics covered are translation problems, understanding proverbs, oral narrative as discourse, the use of audio visual aids in teaching, general and the politics of control, images of women in african oral literature, the relationship with material culture, and oral literature as part of oral traditions. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Based on years of fieldwork, the study traces the history of storytelling across the continent of africa. Ruth finnegan s oral literature in africa was first published in 1970, and. The book is available as a free pdf and ebook download thanks to the generous support of interested readers and organisations, who made donations using the crowdfunding website unglue. Oral literature in africa is part of the world oral literature series published in conjunction with the world oral literature project.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read oral literature in africa. Oral literature in africa is part of our world oral literature series in conjunction with the world oral literature project. Ancient egyptian scribes, early hausa and swahili copyists and memorizers, and contemporary writers of popular novellas have been the obvious and crucial transitional figures. Oral literature in africa is a great book with which to introduce yourself to the oral tradition in africa. Oral literature in africa open book publishers openedition books. Modjaji books, south africa the alkalinity of bottled water by makhosazana xaba botsotso publishing, south africa sale. Excerpts from oral literature in africa book by ruth. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Ruth finnegans oral literature in africa was first published in 1970, and since then has been widely praised as one of the most important books in its field. Ruth finnegans oral literature in africa was first published in 1970. Oral literature in africa world oral literature 9781906924706.
After decades of outstanding research, for which she was awarded an order of the british empire, oral literature in africa remains the book closest to finnegans heart. Ethnosensitive dimensions of african oral literature by afam ebeogu african heritage press, nigeria everything is a deathly flower by maneo mohale uhlanga press, south africa. In southern africa by brown, duncan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. There is no standard definition as folklorists have varying descriptions for oral literature or folk literature but a broad conceptualization refers to it as literature characterized by oral transmission and the absence. This pancocojams series on excerpts from ruth finnegans book oral literature in africa grew out of my interest in the topic of african americanlatinx originated drag cultures custom of reading people delivering insults, also known as reading a person to or for filth. Africa possesses both written and unwritten traditions. Oral literature in africa conclusion open book publishers. Oral literature in africa by finnegan ruth abebooks.
Oral literature in africa 1976 edition open library. Ruth finnegan is a good writer and has obviously spent a lot of time among the people and cultures that she writes about. The term oral literature is also used to describe the tradition in written civilizations in which certain genres are transmitted by word of mouth or are confined to the socalled folk i. Ruth finnegans oral literature in africa was first publis. African literature african literature oral traditions and the written word. Another important difference between traditional african oral art and modern african literature involves the identity and social standing of their respective practitioners. Oral traditions, some of them of great antiquity, continue to flourish and evolve.