Books Oral Literature in Africa  by Ruth Finnegan (Author)

"Oral Literature in Africa" by Ruth Finnegan is a pioneering and comprehensive study of the rich oral storytelling traditions across the African continent. Based on extensive fieldwork conducted primarily in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, the book traces the history, social contexts, and cultural functions of various oral genres including folktales, poetry, songs, proverbs, and rituals.

Finnegan challenges earlier misconceptions that marginalized oral literature as simplistic or inferior to written forms, demonstrating instead its aesthetic complexity and social significance. She emphasizes the performance aspect of oral literature, noting how each telling can be uniquely shaped by the storyteller and the audience interaction. This dynamic nature creates multiple authentic versions of the same story or poem.

The book explores the role of oral literature as a means of preserving collective memory, imparting cultural values, and shaping identity within African communities. It also addresses the evolving relevance of these traditions in modern contexts and their interconnections with other disciplines like anthropology and folklore.