An evaluation of some storytelling techniques in Zulu music and poetry
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Date
2003
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Abstract
Storytelling plays a very significant role in the daily activities of human beings. With
regard to the significance of storytelling, Compton's Encyclopedia (1994:636)
explains:
Storytelling is as old as man. People were telling stories to
one another, around campfires and waterholes long before
written language developed.
Like many nations around the world, Zulus are renowned for their storytelling abilities
that date back to time immemorial. A look at their folktales, riddles, praises, songs,
etc, reveals a rich heritage of unsurpassed storytelling techniques. In this chapter we
are going to illustrate why we feel that there is need for an evaluation of how Zulu
artists use music and poetry as a platform for communicating messages through
stories. We are going to define some concepts that will be used in this study and
indicate their relevance in elucidating the storytelling aspect of Zulu music and poetry.
We are also going to look at some studies that have been undertaken in Zulu music
and poetry and clarify how we intend to tackle this study.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of African Languages in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2003.
Keywords
African poetry, African music, Storytelling techniques