Oral literary forms in T. Wangusa’s upon this mountain and Chinua Achebe’s things fall apart.

Abstract

Oral literacy forms as used in the novels “Upon This Mountain” and “things fall apart” is a very important vehicle of communication. These oral literacy forms include proverbs, riddles, chants, folksongs, folktales. Oral literacy forms are a platform of channeling knowledge, beliefs, norms and values of a society. The purpose of this research is to provide information on how the oral literacy forms develop the themes in the novels and the aesthetic validity of the oral literary forms as used in the two novels. Therefore, oral literacy forms serve to communicate ideas, emotions, beliefs and appreciation of life. Literature through oral literacy forms like proverbs, folktales, songs, riddles, legends, myths, chants and tongue- twisters provides meaningful experience and meaning to the lives of the people in the Gishu society and Igbo society.