8 - Narrative Dynamics of the Iteso Performers of Ateso Oral Narratives
Corresponding Author(s) : Simon Peter Ongodia
Africa Development,
Vol. 39 No. 4 (2014): Africa Development
Abstract
This article investigates the charged reactions and the narrative dynamics of Iteso Performers in oral narrations in selected Ateso speaking districts of Uganda and Kenya. The article discusses the social functions of oral narratives in the Ateso communities and challenges the view that reciprocal utterances and/or silence from the audience are collaborative. Using quantitative analysis techniques, the study observed that performances often evoked reactions. The article makes a case for performer-audience interaction as co-narrators in a performance and concludes with a strong argument that Ateso narratives can be used to address the numerous socio-cultural and political issues affecting the Iteso. The performers, the study recommends, should consider their audiences as empathically complementary to the narration. Secondly, the efforts of the rather few narrators should be appreciated. Thirdly, the Ministry of Education and Sports in Uganda, should encourage the studying of local languages at all levels.
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- Barthes, R., 1997, “Introduction to the Structural Analysis of Narratives,” in: Image – Music Text, London: Fontana.
- Bauman, R., 1986, Story, Performance and Event: Contextual Studies of Oral Narrative, Cambridge: Cambridge Press.
- Brooks, P., 1984, Reading for the Plot, Cambridge, London: Harvard University Press. Campbell, Joseph, 2009, Narrative Structure, New York: available on line at http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrative_structure.
- Coates, Jennifer, 1993, Turn-taking: A Sociolinguistic Study of Communication, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Ferguson, Niall, 1997, Virtual History: Alternatives and Counterfactuals, London: Macmillan.
- Genette, Gérard, 1969, Figures II, Paris: Éditions du Seuil.
- Kiguli, Susan N., 2004, “Oral Poetry and Popular Song in Post-Apartheid South Africa and Post-Civil War Uganda: A Comparative Study of Contemporary Performance”, PhD Dissertation, University of Leeds.
- Mushengyezi, A., 2007, “From Orality of Literary: Translating Traditional Ugandan Oral Forms in Texts for Children.” PhD Dissertation, The University of Connecticut.
- Propp, Vladimir, 1928, Morphology of Folktale, Leningrad: St. Petersburg University Press. Propp, Vladimir, 1984, “Introduction” Theory and History of Folklore, ed. Anatoly Liberman, University of Minnesota: University of Minnesota Press.
- Ryan, M-L., 2004, Narrative Across Media, Lincoln, London: University of Nebraska Press. Saussure, 1968, Elements of Semiology, New York: Hill and Wang. Todorov, Tzvetan, Film Communication Media, (http://www.trinity.cumbria.sch.uk/subjectweb/mediaweb/myweb/_private/index.htm)5 October 2012. Wardhaugh, Ronald, 2009, An Introduction of Sociolinguistics: Language Arts and Disciplines, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
References
Barthes, R., 1997, “Introduction to the Structural Analysis of Narratives,” in: Image – Music Text, London: Fontana.
Bauman, R., 1986, Story, Performance and Event: Contextual Studies of Oral Narrative, Cambridge: Cambridge Press.
Brooks, P., 1984, Reading for the Plot, Cambridge, London: Harvard University Press. Campbell, Joseph, 2009, Narrative Structure, New York: available on line at http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrative_structure.
Coates, Jennifer, 1993, Turn-taking: A Sociolinguistic Study of Communication, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ferguson, Niall, 1997, Virtual History: Alternatives and Counterfactuals, London: Macmillan.
Genette, Gérard, 1969, Figures II, Paris: Éditions du Seuil.
Kiguli, Susan N., 2004, “Oral Poetry and Popular Song in Post-Apartheid South Africa and Post-Civil War Uganda: A Comparative Study of Contemporary Performance”, PhD Dissertation, University of Leeds.
Mushengyezi, A., 2007, “From Orality of Literary: Translating Traditional Ugandan Oral Forms in Texts for Children.” PhD Dissertation, The University of Connecticut.
Propp, Vladimir, 1928, Morphology of Folktale, Leningrad: St. Petersburg University Press. Propp, Vladimir, 1984, “Introduction” Theory and History of Folklore, ed. Anatoly Liberman, University of Minnesota: University of Minnesota Press.
Ryan, M-L., 2004, Narrative Across Media, Lincoln, London: University of Nebraska Press. Saussure, 1968, Elements of Semiology, New York: Hill and Wang. Todorov, Tzvetan, Film Communication Media, (http://www.trinity.cumbria.sch.uk/subjectweb/mediaweb/myweb/_private/index.htm)5 October 2012. Wardhaugh, Ronald, 2009, An Introduction of Sociolinguistics: Language Arts and Disciplines, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.