From Orality to Print: An Oraliterary Examination of Efua T. Sutherland’S The Marriage of Anansewa and Femi Osofisan’S Morountodun.

Abstract

African oral literature remains a veritable source of material for African literary drama through various means, ikncluding exploitation and adaptation. By so doing, besides the aesthetic benefits, present and future generations can learn, imbibe and practicalise the moral and social values of traditional African societies which we seem to badly require at this time of severe moral decadent. This essay shows the exploitation of indigenous African arts in terms of content and aesthetics by two prominent African dramatists, viz, Efua T, Sutherland of Ghana and Femi Osofisan of Nigeria.

Keywords:Oral tradition ( oral literature), exploitation, anaseseem, anansegoro, myth.