African Literature

1) is an oral narrative similar to or different from an epic? Explain briefly

A narrative is a written or oral, which tends to tell and to tell of events that can be real or imaginary, or combine a clever mixture of fact and authentic part of the imaginary and fictional allegories. The epic of a story can bring to a story, anecdote or legend a heroic side with the amplification and extrapolation to see the hyperbole often acts warriors on battles or more just action. The epics are often used to tell stories involving heroism, honor, friendship, revenge, friendship, betrayal, and the excitement in the field of battle, war, feudal or chivalric(Young, pp 101).

2) How is a griot different from the everyday oral narrative performer?

The caste of griots was born and developed in a context where writing was used in religious circles. The griot is thus considered including the depositary of the oral tradition. Griot families are specialized either in the country's history and genealogy, or public speaking, or playing music. The main groups of griots or traditional communicators are called Djéli countries in Mandingo, Wolof and countries in Guewel gawlo in Toucouleurs. On the other hand, the oral narrative performer utilizes his art in his performance just like the way a painter uses color in his paintings. Therefore, the analyst should not only make the culture responsible in the narrative (Miller, pp 63).

3) What are the roles of an oral narrator and the performer of an epic?

The role of the oral narrator is the conveying of events in words, images and sounds, often by improvisation or embellishment. Stories or narratives have been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation and in order to instill moral values. Crucial elements of stories and storytelling include plot, characters and narrative point of view.

The jugglers, the repertoire of chants performed to entertain and amuse people in public performances, in both places, pilgrimages, recreation sites of the moment, the courts of the churches, including the singing of the exploits of a certain time or historical character, or a people (Wisniewski, pp 12). These modes of public entertainment and took place in classical antiquity or among the Muslims, with similar figures to that of the minstrels. Traditionalists argue that minstrel-practices are heirs to the classical traditions and old-those that cause the appearance of neo-Latin literature and, therefore, of the epic.

4) Are the early lives of Sundiata (The Epic of Sundiata) and Mwindo (Mwindo Epic) similar or different? Explain briefly

Sundiata was an honorable king who founded and ruled the empire of Mali from 1235-1255. He was inherited from the Keita clan of the Malinke people from the small kingdom of Kangaba. He traveled far and wide, dressed as an ordinary hunter-king at times but then wore a Muslim robe in others. His successors were orthodox Muslims. During Sundiata's reign, he established the territorial vile of the empire and laid down the fundamentals for its future opulence and political ...