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Orality in Contemporary African Poetry: The Example of Ezenwa-Ohaeto.

This paper argues that utilising the techniques of oral resources by African poets does not necessarily reflect political undertone but an acknowledgement of the aesthetic functions of the oral forms. Using a combination of literary and lexicon-rhetorical devices for analysis, the paper examines the...

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Published in:Journal of Pan African Studies Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 100 - 118
Main Author: Ogundipe, Stephen T.
Format: Article
Published: Journal of Pan African Studies Dec2017
Subjects:
Ohaeto, Ezenwa
Oral communication in literature
African poetry
Poetry collections
Rhetoric
Minstrels in literature
Poets
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Summary:This paper argues that utilising the techniques of oral resources by African poets does not necessarily reflect political undertone but an acknowledgement of the aesthetic functions of the oral forms. Using a combination of literary and lexicon-rhetorical devices for analysis, the paper examines the deployment of oral modes in African poetry through a reading of Ezenwa-Ohaeto's poetry collection, The Chants of a Minstrel and how it contributes to the overall aesthetic purpose of the poet. The paper concludes with a bold affirmation that the poets' adaptation of oral styles and techniques surpasses that of writing against the "Other."