Online Performance of Swahili Orature: The Need for a New Category?

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the concept of the online performance of oral literature. The central argument advanced in this discussion arises out of the contemporary categorisation of literature, notably the distinction between oral and written literature based on their forms of presentation — that is oral versus written presentation. The invention of the Internet and the introduction of such technology into online enabled devices such as mobile phones and tablets, as well as the integration of various communication programmes, has enabled instantaneous written communications as well as non-instantaneous communication. This type of communication has instigated the emergence of a unique language whose features have no discernible cognates with either spoken or written language. Furthermore, besides the emergence of this unique language, some genres of oral literature, are regularly performed online in a unique way using the above-mentioned technologies as well as the unique linguistic features mentioned. The background research undertaken, and which underpins the discussion in this paper, was predicated on the theory of performance without necessarily denigrating the role and significance of the text in works of literature. The data on online riddle performance was collected and analysed and the results presented in this paper. By using online Swahili riddle performance; I propose the formation a new genre of literature that espouses the features of this type of communication.