TYPES OF LITERATURE
Oral Literature
Written Literature
ORAL LITERATURE
Is the type of Literature presented through the use of mouth it is the primary to the written genre ie it has been into existence long time before the invention of written form. The clement of Oral literature include Legend myth proverbs, saying, Riddles, folktales, Anecdote, fables
LEGEND:
These are the formed stories of the past especially one may not be practically true but of historical troth and perhaps less of supernatural.
Eg:- Wangu Wa Makeri (by Bukenya)…..:
These are stories originated in ancient time esp. with focus in idea or belief about the early history of mankind encounters experience as of supernatural . Power and super being creature’s that had power more than human being. It tells the origin of life, create and the meaning of life
FABLES:
These are short stories not based on fact often with animal’s cheater that conveys a moral message. People and inanimate objects one sometimes the central figlire. Fables have to do with supernatural or unusual incident.
ANECDOTE:
These are short, interesting and amusing story about a person or errant. It is a narrated incident based on the life of an important person and should lay elements of truth.
EPICS:
Are long narrative poem in an elevated style presenting characters of high position in adventures forming an organic whole through their relation to a arbitral heroic figure.
RIDDLES:
These are puzzling questions, statement or descriptions especially one intended to test the cleverness of those within to solve them- E.g:- my house has no door “- An egg, We are tree in our family”
THE FOLKTALES:
These are short narration chanced down through oral tradition, they are popular stories; passed from one generation to the next. These explain / tell the things come to existence the way they are eg. The sun and the Moon (by Bukenya)
SAYINGS:
These are phrases or a statement that expresses something about life that most people believe is wise and true. This induces Idioms and prunes.
IDIOMS:
Are phrases or sentences in which their meaning is not clear from the creaming of its individual word. Thus it must be learnt as whole unit
- Hit the nail on the head ie go straight to point
- Breaks ones back ie to over work someone
-Take French leave ie to leave without permission
- Beauty is on skin deep ie don’t judge by appearance.
PREVERBS:
Are short artistic wise. Sayings which are meant to worn or educate.
- Birds of some feathers flock together
- Stitch time same nine.
- Every dog has day ie every one has/he/her success ahead
- A bird min hand is too worth in the bush.
TASK:
Comment on the status / position of Oral Literature in Tanzania today.
2. WRITTEN LITERATURE
Is the work of art expressed through written form. It emerged after the invention of written so it is the second to Oral literature.
Written Literature has three GENRES:-
Novel
Plays/ Drama
Poetry
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