Questions tagged [oral-tradition]
Questions related to works of literature which are transmitted through speech or song.
11
questions
3
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2answers
55 views
What is meant by “saints of forties and sevens” in this traditional Turkish hymn?
In the article "Ritual Change in a Turkish Alevi Village" by Thomas McElwain, I found a description of a sacrifice ritual which includes the following nefes (hymn?) recited for a ram:
Erler ...
2
votes
1answer
44 views
Who collected Dandilion's songs in written books?
The final chapter of Blood of Elves covers the beginning of Ciri's training with Yennefer, learning about magic but also many other things. One passage describes her reading, and I noticed the ...
2
votes
1answer
58 views
Thomas McElwain as Ali Haydar?
On this website of translated Turkish poetry, a traditional hymn of sacrifice from a Turkish Alevi village is included in its English translation, with a note at the top signed "Ali Haydar", although ...
6
votes
1answer
100 views
How did the story of Robin Hood pass from oral literature to written?
Robin Hood is a famous figure of English folklore, whose existence or fictionality is still a subject of debate. The stories about him started off as folk tales transmitted orally (ballads), but by ...
2
votes
0answers
154 views
Who is Queen Brijeena, the subject of a famous chavittu nadakam?
Chavittu nadakam is a Christian-origin dance form from Kerala, India. It's quite similar to the European opera, though chavittu nadakam involves a lot of dancing.
The dance is accompanied by archaic ...
4
votes
1answer
110 views
How long did accounts of the Sängerkrieg last as purely oral literature?
The Sängerkrieg, or contest of minstrels, was an event which (supposedly) took place at Wartburg Castle in Germany in the early 13th century. Since its veracity is disputed, I assume there weren't any ...
8
votes
1answer
1k views
Is the story of “Tales in the Sand” (or its form) faithful to traditional African stories?
In the prologue to The Doll's House (The Sandman #9 "Tales in the Sand"), Gaiman tells the story of Queen Nada. Neil Gaiman is not African, nor (as far as I could tell) were any of the people who ...
7
votes
0answers
38 views
Were any of the Asbjørnsen og Moe stories transcribed directly from oral traditions?
Asbjørnsen og Moe are the Norwegian answers to the Brothers Grimm, the collectors of what is still considered the definitive volume of Norwegian folk tales.
How many of these tales were taken from ...
10
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0answers
105 views
Why, at the begining of the tale Jealous Twins, does the storyteller frame the story?
The Verba Africana website is a fantastic website that publishes recordings, transcriptions, and analysis of African oral literature.
One of the stories published on the site is called Jealous Twins; ...
25
votes
1answer
735 views
Are there any recorded discrepancies between The Odyssey as oral tradition and The Odyssey as Homer transcribed it?
The Odyssey began as oral tradition, and was later transcribed by someone we now call "Homer." Disregarding the Homeric Question concerning the identity of the person who transcribed these works, it ...
3
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0answers
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What does “M O” in the Razzle Dazzle cheer song mean?
I would like to know what a particular line in the following cheer poem is a reference to.
Razzle Dazzle
Leader: My name is (your name)
I'm number one
My reputation has just begun
So if ...
