Oral Communication in Africa Ms Bentil1

Oral Communication in Africa Oral Communication defined  The transfer of information from one generation to another by word of mouth.  Oral communication dominates the forms of communication in most African societies. Ms Bentil 2

 This has been the way information has been preserved from time immemorial.  Large amounts of information are carried in people’s memories in Africa.  The death of an old man or woman in Africa was equivalent to the burning down of a library or an archive in the western countries. This is referred to as “human archive”. Ms Bentil 3

Examples of oral narratives are: - Explanatory tales - Poetry - Proverbs - Riddles Ms Bentil4

 Oral communication/traditions have been important modes of social communication and transmission of history before writing began.  It is still used very much even after the introduction of writing and it cuts across Africa. Ms Bentil 5

 Oral communication has a historical role of leading to very little use of written documents.  Oral expressions are very difficult to survive from generation to generation unlike written documents.  However, this is not to suggest that there is no use for the oral culture. Ms Bentil 6

Benefits of the Oral Communication 1. Used to teach historical facts, culture, religion, traditional and moral values. Eg. through storytelling. 2. Provides entertainment and aesthetic pleasure. 3. It has therapeutic effect Ms Bentil 7

Factors affecting Oral Communication /Tradition a) Education b) Urbanisation Ms Bentil 8

Limitations of Oral Communication 1) Dependence on memory  There is a limit to how much the brain can remember.  Forgetfulness is bound to set in.  In the case of writing, books can be kept for a long period of time. Ms Bentil 9

 2) Embellishments/ Errors and mistakes  Oral tradition develops mistakes and errors as the years go by.  In the case of books, information recorded today would remain the same for several years to come. Ms Bentil 10

3) Dependence on age – In oral traditions, age is equivalent to knowledge - adults are teachers whereas children are learners.  There is always a vacuum when the elders are not around.  Written documents can be read at any time Ms Bentil 11

4) Authority of the elder – In oral traditional situations, there is very little challenge to the authority of the elderly.  In the book form of education, students are encouraged to be creative, ask questions and provide their teachers with alternative views. Ms Bentil 12

 5) Circumstantial learning  The mode of learning in the oral tradition is mostly circumstantial.  Books can be read at any time without waiting for any peculiar circumstance. Ms Bentil 13

6) Limited scope for specialisation  Traditional society educates children only for utilitarian purposes. Eg. Boys – fishing, farming, hunting etc Girls – Home management  Western education is very comprehensive: Archeology to Zoology. Ms Bentil 14

7) Emphasis on Gender  Boys and girls do not have access to the same information since they are often demanded to perform separate activities.  In modern education, boys and girls are not limited in their functions and so have equal access to information. Eg. A girl can become a pilot and a boy a chef Ms Bentil 15

 Due to these limitations, it has often been said that oral tradition should be recorded so that future generations can benefit from it. Ms Bentil 16