Abstract
This study shows that autobiography exists in oral civilizations by exploring Kirari in Hausa praise poetry. The study focuses on the forms of Kirari that clearly bring out the autobiographical elements that illustrate the autobiographer’s conscious awareness of the singularity of his or her life and achievements and the uniqueness of their identity among the members of their community and/or profession. These forms of Kirari are identified in excerpts from Hausa hunters’ heroic self-praise and from Bakandamiya by the singer Maman Shata Katsina.
Highlights
Autobiography has often been associated with literacy and literate societies
This study shows that autobiography exists in oral civilizations by exploring Kirari in Hausa praise poetry
This study explores the autobiographical dimension of Kirari or self-praise in Hausa praise poetry
Summary
Autobiography has often been associated with literacy and literate societies. Few researchers have attempted to locate it in oral civilizations. This study explores the autobiographical dimension of Kirari or self-praise in Hausa praise poetry. My purpose is first to draw the attention of scholars about the urgent need to collect and preserve Kirari because it is on the verge of extinction and second to show that autobiography exists in oral civilizations in general as well as in Hausa oral poetry. Prior to the exploration of Kirari, it is important to make a situational analysis of the autobiographical dimension of praise poetry in general
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