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Oral Literature (Orature). Oral Literature (or Orature) narratives originating in (often pre-literate) societies composed for spoken (and often dramatic) performances Such narratives:. often lack an original/definitive version or author; often feature more than one storyteller;
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Oral Literature (or Orature) narratives originating in (often pre-literate) societies composed for spoken (and often dramatic) performances Such narratives: • often lack an original/definitive version or author; • often feature more than one storyteller; • often are designed for “call and response” audience participation; • feature linguistic devices designed to enhance the vocal performance for a live audience; • often are meant to be sung or chanted at events or ceremonies.
What two stories are seen as marking the “beginning” of the Western literary canon? The Odyssey and The Iliad: • composed by “Homer” • passed down orally by aoidoi (singer-poets) • poems feature many repetitions, in some cases through “epithets” (“rosy-fingered,” “sacker of cities,” etc) in other cases through entire verses • Greek alphabet introduced in the 8th century BCE, so it is likely that these epics were recorded during this period
Native American Oral Literature (or Orature) In addition to the previously cited characteristics of oral literature, Native American oral literature: • often begins with a ceremonial offering made to the storyteller; • is regarded as a sacred act, bridging the physical world with the spirit world; • features a storyteller who is considered to be part of the story itself.
The “Spirit World” • A belief that invisible powers govern the universe. • A knowledge that these positive and negative invisible powers are balanced, and thus humans must seek balance and harmony in their lives. • The need for humans to respect, revere, and be responsible for the earth and its creatures. • A belief that healing specialists may acquire knowledge about curing powers. • The understanding that one way to communicate with the supernatural beings and powers is to contact them through dreams and visions. • A recognition of the spiritual power of words and stories. • The awareness that sacred time, sacred place, and sacred stories unite the spirit world and the natural world for Native Americans today. Every Native American society possesses its own distinct mythology, but many of the societies share beliefs and practices, allowing us to identify elements of a common “spirit world system.” These elements include:
