Oral Tradition

Definition

A method of preserving history, tales, laws, and other knowledge through spoken word instead of written documentation.

Analogy

Imagine oral tradition like your favorite game of 'telephone'. Information starts at one point (the original source) and is passed along person-to-person (generation-to-generation). Sometimes the message changes slightly but the core information remains intact.

Related terms

Folklore: Traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, dances that are preserved among a group of people through speech or performance rather than written form.

Epic Poetry: A type of poetry that tells a story often involving heroes and adventures. These stories were often passed down orally before they were written down.

Mythology: A collection of myths or stories about gods, ancestors or heroes told to explain nature or traditions. These are often part of an oral tradition before being recorded into literature.