Anyuaa Oral Prose Narratives; Ethnic Genres and Social Functions
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Date
1976
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis is concerned with studying the oral prose narratives of Anyuaa
society, one of Ethiopian Nilo- Saharan groups bordering the Sudan. The major
problem of the research arises from the need for paying due attention to study and
appreciate the indigenous ways of catagorizing folklore in general and oral
literatures in particular in various parts of the country. Thus, identifying the logical
principles underlying the Anyuaa systems of generic classification of oral prose
narratives, describing the distinctive features of genres and showing their most
recurring social functions in the society are the main objectives of the study attained
through descriptive methods of literary analysis. By so doing, the research
contributes to the future tasks of categorizing oral prose narratives on national level
or a larger scale. Folklore data within their social contexts are made apposite to the
goals to be achieved and problems formulated. Therefore, the study depends
primarily on extensive fieldwork A total of 118 narratives have been recorded using
the methods of observation, interview and focus group discussion through survey,
depth, local and incidental research projects. With the purpose of maintaining the
contextual meanings conveyed by the source language, "word-for - word," "free"
and "dynamic equivalent" translations have been employed and then validated by
knowledgeable natives. After a close examination, selection, and interpretation of
data, the research come up with the following original findings. (1) Three genres of
oral prose narratives exist in their own rights as integral parts of the whole system
of Anyuaa culture sharing common social functions identified as perpetuating
culture, justifying social norms, controlling deviations, maintaining societal value
systems, enculturing the youths through entertainment (2) Generic names are
designated as the" Leere" , the "Wae" and the " Angade" in their local
language. (3) The research also arrives at three indigenous principles with which the
natives themselves make use of in delineating genres of oral prose narratives
identified as (a) cultural meanings of generic names (b) narrative contents, and (c)
performer's age. (4) Genres are actualized in seven natural contexts determined by
the purposes of institutionalized or incidental social actions.
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Keywords
Ethnic Genres, Social