A dying tradition? African oral literature in a contemporary context 1
1986; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 12; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/02533958608458404
ISSN1940-7874
Autores Tópico(s)Caribbean and African Literature and Culture
ResumoAbstract This paper on the use of performances of oral literary genres in South African political organisations such as Inkatha, in Zulu Royal institutions, and in trade union movements (FOSATU, MAWU, SAWU, and others), is concerned with the use of the past in contemporary political activity, and with the question of whether oral literature will survive as a viable genre. The pressure exerted on oral literature by written genres seems to threated their continued existence, yet oral genres continue to have significant power in contemporary culture and politics. Several examples are presented to show the adaptation of the oral izibongo genre, and other forms of orally‐performed poetry, to contemporary contexts. Notes An earlier version of this paper was written for the African Studies Centre Seminar at the University of Cape Town 28th August, 1985. This was the day of the planned march to Pollsmoor prison and the seminar was cancelled. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Department of African Languages and Cultures who commented on the first draft, particularly Graham Furniss and Louis Brenner, Ari Sitas gave much valuable information and Keith Gottschalk, Karin Barber, Jeff Opland also commented on the first draft, as did Shula Marks, Terence Ranger and Jeff Guy. My thanks too, to the trades union poets A T Qabula, Mi Hlatshwayo and Madlinyoka Ntanta who taught me a lot during a rather hectic day in February 1987 at the Wits History Workshop.
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