Abstract
Oral literature is a vital tool that is sometimes deployed by African writers for criticizing the social and political situations in their countries with the aim of challenging and proffering solutions to unpleasant and oppressive practices by its leaders. Femi Osofisan’s Many Colours Make the Thunder-King exemplifies this situation. It is observed that oral literature is not usually considered as a possible means of solving the social and economic challenges encountered in African countries. This study examines Nigeria’s situation by focusing on the identifiable traditional aesthetics deployed in Many Colours Make the Thunder-King as a means of satirizing Nigerian leaders and also for possible re-construction of their characters towards enhancement of a better society. It is imperative for Nigerian leaders to learn and apply other strategies that would be useful in eradicating the hydra-headed challenges confronting the nation. This paper considers the application of oral literature, a possible means of solving the social-political and economic problems ravaging the country. The research methodology used for this study is qualitative. A sociological approach is adapted to evaluate the African oral aesthetics deployed in the literary text. This study concludes and recommends that Nigerian leaders should go back to their traditional roots to seek the basis for economic, political and social innovation and progress if they are to succeed in developing the country. Key words: African oral literature, challenges, possible means, relevance, satire, socio-political.
Highlights
A literary writer as a member of a society is expected to be sensitive to the social and political happenings around him, and not just that but beyond the portrayal of negative social image and happenings, his obligation is to shape and direct the affairs of the society
By using a qualitative research methodology, this study evaluates the African oral aesthetics deployed in Osofisan‟s Many Colours Make the Thunder-King with the aim of satirizing the unpleasant social and political situation in Nigeria and proffering possible solutions to her leaders
Osofisan: Explorer of oral art Osofisan is one of the prominent second generation of literary writers in Nigeria whose works through the genre of drama, centre round the theme of social and political tribulations that came with the oil boom in Nigeria in the 70‟s. Osofisan commits his writings to the expression of African tradition and culture through the medium of English Language
Summary
Oral literature is a vital tool that is sometimes deployed by African writers for criticizing the social and political situations in their countries with the aim of challenging and proffering solutions to unpleasant and oppressive practices by its leaders. It is observed that oral literature is not usually considered as a possible means of solving the social and economic challenges encountered in African countries. This study examines Nigeria’s situation by focusing on the identifiable traditional aesthetics deployed in Many Colours Make the Thunder-King as a means of satirizing Nigerian leaders and for possible reconstruction of their characters towards enhancement of a better society. This paper considers the application of oral literature, a possible means of solving the social-political and economic problems ravaging the country.
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