Oral Tradition

Definition

Oral tradition refers to the passing down of cultural knowledge, stories, and history through spoken word rather than written texts. It is a way for societies to preserve their traditions and beliefs.

Related terms

Folklore: Folklore encompasses the traditional customs, beliefs, and stories of a particular culture or community.

Griot: A griot is a West African storyteller who carries on the oral tradition by recounting historical events and genealogies.

Epic Poetry: Epic poetry refers to long narrative poems that were originally composed orally and later written down. Examples include Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey."