Oral Tradition Research Articles

Prohibitive Expressions as Traditional Cultural Dynamics among Muslim

It is undeniable that oral traditions such as prohibitive expressions not only lead to careful attitude, but also presents identities as Muslim societies. While their existence remains controversial in Islamic perspectives, more societies believe in their function and contribution over safety, effectiveness, and discipline in a particular situation. Meanwhile, this study investigated oral traditions regarding prohibitive expressions that protect societies from any hazard during pregnancy, babies and child, and marriage. Intensive interviews were employed to collect data from a number of participants selected through purposive sampling. As for results, it is believed that the prohibitive expressions comprised some contexts such as during pregnancy, for babies and child, and marriage. Each expression was a mixture between traditional culture or local wisdom and Islam as a religion with strict rules. Although the expressions were not identified to emerge in Islamic context as a whole, the societies presumably believed in religious supports that allow them to practice the local wisdom without avoiding Islam

Centering Afro-Colombian Lideresa Felicita Campos: Counter-narrative Comics against Land Grabs

Abstract: This article explores the representation of social leader Felicita Campos in a comic book created by members of her community and a team led by sociologist Orlando Fals Borda and painter Ulianov Chalarka in the early 1970s. The comic portrays Campos, a female Afro-Colombian peasant, fighting for recognition of her community's land ownership rights during the 1920s amidst intense repression and violence. Through critical analysis of visual narratives, historical research, and literary criticism, this article highlights the significance of "Felicita Campos: La mujer campesina en lucha por la tierra" as a mnemonic device for remembering and learning from past struggles against land theft and injustice. It also examines her representation as a female protagonist in relation to the natural and non-human world, comparing it to other female roles and representations in Colombian and Latin American comics. The article emphasizes the importance of amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and promoting social justice through visual media like comics. Overall, this article contributes to the scholarship on Afro-Latin American studies, comics studies, and oral and literary traditions, underscoring the importance of "Felicita Campos: La mujer campesina en lucha por la tierra" as a tool for etnoeducación and generating dialogue and participation among marginalized communities.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF LITERARY LANGUAGE THROUGH THE AGES

Many factors, including societal shifts, technology, culture, and history, contribute to literary language's gradual but steady development. Literary language has changed throughout history to reflect new social and intellectual paradigms, and this research follows that change from antiquity to the present day. Examining the written traditions of classical antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance follows an examination of the oral traditions of ancient civilizations when storytelling played a crucial role in preserving history and culture. Literary language differs between periods due to the influence of prevalent linguistic conventions, philosophical ideas, and technological developments. Moving from verbal to written communication is a watershed moment because it paves the way for textual standardization and preservation. Greek and Latin were the de jure languages of the classical period when many literary genres and styles flourished. Various vernacular languages emerged during the Middle Ages when oral and written traditions mingled. A more sophisticated and nuanced use of language was one of the many benefits of the Renaissance, which saw an upsurge in creative activity and a return to classical study. Making books more widely available and aiding in linguistic standardization, the printing press was invented in the fifteenth century and profoundly impacted the distribution of literary works. Examining how the Enlightenment, Romanticism, and Industrial Revolution affected literary language, the research delves further into how these eras mirrored more significant social shifts. As a result of increased communication across borders, new technologies, and the proliferation of online media, literary vocabulary has become more diverse than at any time in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Literary language's evolution demonstrates how human expression is ever-changing, adjusting to novel situations and technological advances. A thorough analysis of this development is given in this work, which sheds light on the complex interplay of literature, language, and society.

Representations of Women’s Power and Divinity in the Myths of Tai Peoples

This article examines female characters in the myths of the Tai peoples which represent power and divinity of women in the Tai’s societies. Twenty myths of the Tai peoples both in literary and oral traditions were the subjects of the study. The findings revealed the four main representations of women as 1) creator and the earliest human ancestor; 2) food producer and nurturer; 3) cultural leader; and 4) medium between the human world and the divine world. These representations reflect the Tai peoples’ society and culture. Women were represented as 1) the divines, having supernatural power, powerful beings; 2) abundance of food, creators of life, caretakers; and 3) supporters and followers of Buddhism. The female characters in the Tai myths symbolized faithful Buddhists and strong supporters of the religion. The findings also emphasize significance of the myths as a cultural tool for a better understanding of cultural women’s roles.

DEAMBULAÇÕES GEOGRÁFICAS PELA LITERATURA DE CORDEL EM PORTUGAL

Literatura de Cordel (Chapbooks), more than a genre, is a form of circulation among the people of various literary genres, of oral tradition or not. The aim is to analyze, in the Portuguese case, the geographical distribution of publishing locations, themes, and references to its circulation. The catalogs of the National Museum of Archaeology and the collection of Arnaldo Saraiva will be used as examples. We will try to find areas of occurrence and possible explanations for the distribution found.

Interethnic dynamics and ethnic identification process an example from the Southern Shan State, Burma (Myanmar)

ABSTRACT The essay addresses the issue of which cultural tools are used in order to index particular ethnic identifications within an interethnic environment. It is analysed how the Inle Lake region has undergone a symbolic restructuring of its socio-cultural network since the end of the 1950s. We shall first address the issue of how the interethnic dynamics was renegotiated after the waning of the Shan political sway upon the region and how the Intha emerged as the new dominant ethnic group as well as how they symbolically manipulated a socio-cultural landscape common to all the ethnic communities inhabiting the region; it will eventually be analysed how a particular ethnic community, the Taung’yo, indexes its position within a newly created dynamics through the technical choice of phonetic markers in a specific context of interaction in order to align with the position within the interethnic dynamics that the oral traditions grant them.

Revitalising Endangered Languages: Challenges, Successes, and Cultural Implications

Language is a cornerstone of cultural identity, yet many of the world's languages are at risk of disappearing, either historically or as a result of deliberate actions by aggressive neighboring states, if not appropriately addressed. This paper examined worldwide endeavors to safeguard endangered languages and the cultural customs interwoven with them, using a case study of Ukraine and Russia. By conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses of the obtained data, the study focused on the case study design, based on document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and structured surveys. The findings highlighted the key successes in language revitalisation, mainly focusing on educational initiatives and technology-based solutions. Efforts such as community-led language schools, language documentation projects, and digital platforms have demonstrated potential in maintaining Ukrainian as a presently endangered language in territories militarily occupied by Russia and previously annexed areas, providing direct communication channels to counter an aggressor's objectives. Additionally, the role of government policies and international organisations in supporting language preservation was analysed, revealing how collaborative approaches can foster linguistic and cultural resilience. Significant challenges were identified. These challenges encompassed inadequate funding and limited local and global community engagement, and the complex dynamics of cultural assimilation because of fear and threat to life in the occupied lands. Moreover, the impact of language extinction on the cultural survival of minority groups (those few Ukrainian speaking or bilingual – Ukrainian and Russian, speaking people with the core values of the Ukrainian culture and identity) is profound, often leading to a loss of unique worldviews, oral traditions, and identity. The paper concluded with recommendations for future initiatives in language revitalisation, emphasising the need for holistic approaches that integrate the cultural understanding, technology, and community empowerment. It was contended that by tackling these issues, stakeholders can play a role in preserving not just languages but also the diverse tapestry of cultures they embody.

New Karbi Religious Movements

The Karbi people are one of the major indigenous groups residing in Northeast India, mainly in Assam.2 The history of Karbi identity has been one of misrepresentations, contestation, and negligence, mainly as a consequence of problematic colonial constructs and majoritarian cultural biases. In this paper, in order to analyze majoritarian influences, I focus on Lokhimon, a new religious movement among the Karbi, as an intersection, a dialogue space, of cultural exchange between old, traditional Karbi practices and mainstream Hindu religious traditions. Lokhimon serves as evidence of the continuously expanding impact of Hinduism, which has become profoundly embedded inside indigenous communities such as Karbi through subtle assimilation facilitated by media, politics, and prevailing knowledge systems. The foundation of Lokhimon is based on Hindu myths, and as dominant myths are hierarchical in nature, majoritarian narratives have come to dictate, dislocate, and dislodge aspects of identity, belonging, and representation of the Karbi lifeworld. Recently, Lokhimon has been gaining political influence, and local state-backed media is being used to facilitate the assimilation of the Karbi community into the Hindu majority. I analyze how this mythic, unified idea of Karbi belongingness to a larger Hindu tradition expressed through the mythopolitics of Hinduism affects Karbi lives while engaging with oral and new religious movement traditions among the Karbi community to understand identity formations.

A Day in the Cornfields: A Western Otomi Narrative

This paper focuses on Western Otomi, a Mexican native language spoken in the municipality of Temoaya in the State of Mexico (ISO 639-3 ott). Speakers recognize themselves as dri ñatho, which means ‘I still speak’ and differentiate themselves from people who only speak Spanish, even though they belong to the same community, as i ñamfo ‘they speak Spanish’. This variety is underdocumented, mainly transmitted by oral tradition and spoken at home or with friends and neighbors. Hence, receptive speakers are common. Through this narrative from a Western Otomi speaker, we are offered a glimpse into what a day in the cornfields is like. In addition, this narrative gives us general insight into some features of the language. So, after introducing the cultural context of it, I present the narrative.

Líĺwat Climbers Could See the Ocean from the Peak of Qẃelqẃelústen: Evaluating Oral Traditions with Viewshed Analyses from the Mount Meager Volcanic Complex Prior to Its 2360 BP Eruption

Abstract Among Líĺwat people of the Interior Plateau of British Columbia, an oral tradition relays how early ancestors used to ascend Qẃelqẃelústen, or Mount Meager. The account maintains that those climbers could see the ocean, which is not the case today, because the mountain is surrounded by many other high peaks, and the Strait of Georgia is several mountain ridges to the west. However, the mountain is an active and volatile volcano, which last erupted circa 2360 cal BP. It is also the site of the largest landslide in Canadian history, which occurred in 2010. Given that it had been a high, glacier-capped mountain throughout the Holocene, much like other volcanoes along the coastal range, we surmise that a climber may have reasonably been afforded a view of the ocean from its prior heights. We conducted viewshed analyses of the potential mountain height prior to its eruption and determined that one could indeed view the ocean if the mountain were at least 950 m higher than it is today. This aligns with the oral tradition, indicating that it may be over 2,400 years old, and plausibly in the range of 4,000 to 9,000 years old when the mountain may have been at such a height.

En muntlig sångkultur kopplad till skrift

An oral song culture connected to printed worksThe aim of this article is to investigate the process of diachronic transmission with reference to oral material. Departing from field recordings from the very north of Sweden this article intends to account for the transmitting of oral song traditions connected with two pious song books, Sions sånger/Sion’s Songs and Sions nya sånger/Sion’s New Songs from the 18th century. The song books were published in numerous editions up until 1975 and foremost used by religious dissenters. Only song texts were provided in the books – as for melodies the congregation had to deal with directions to contemporary melodies, mostly hymns. The recordings indicate that several both sacred and profane melodies used during the 18th century may have followed the songs for more than 200 years in oral tradition. The restricted life within the congregations is a prerequisite for this process which goes on within the collective. In the present investigation the contradictory words acceptance and avoidance/repudiation are used to make clear what elements are active as both controlling and cooperative in the dynamic transmitting process.

ҚҰНДЫЛЫҚТАР МӘСЕЛЕСІН ЗЕРТТЕУДІҢ ФИЛОСОФИЯЛЫҚ МӘНІ

The article discusses the philosophical features of studying the problem of values. There is a long history of philosophical analysis of problems related to the essence, content, forms of manifestation of values. Since ancient times, people have appreciated the world around them, the objects, events in it, the relationship between people and thought about their value. Over time, as society developed, the problems in this area increased and the importance of solving them increased. The theme of values remains one of the most relevant from ancient times to the present period. Democritus, Epicurus, Plato, Aristotle, J.Thinkers like Bruno, T. Hobbes, D. Didro, G. Leibniz, F. Bacon, I. Kant, G. Hegel pay attention to the philosophical and historical analysis of values. At the heart of the study of the problem of values are legends, myths, stories, epics, that is, models of folklore. In the oral tradition of the people, more attention is paid to Universal and national values, the essence and content of which are interpreted in different ways. The epics depict the spirit of patriotism, loyalty to the freedom of the people and the country. When ancient people thought about life, told Legends, stories or epics, they explained the value of the universe, its Infinity, The relationship between the universe and humanity, the importance, content, purpose of human life and values such as courage, wisdom, kindness, honesty, patriotism.

Spiritual Education of Tarekat Tuan Guru Haji Muhammad Mutawalli towards Wetu Telu Community

Tuan Guru Haji (TGH) Muhammad Mutawalli is one of the figures who have an important role in shaping and instilling spiritual education for wetu telu worshipers through the naqsyabandiyah wal-qadiriyah tarekat approach. The purpose of this research is to explore and find out TGH Muhammad Mutawalli's opinion on strengthening the spiritual education of the Wetu Telu congregation and the extent to which spiritual education is being strengthened. The method used is qualitative with a phenomenological approach, where this research seeks to uncover the hidden meaning behind the phenomenon of the Wetu Telu community in the Terara sub-district, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. Data collection in this study was conducted using in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation of data found in the field. The results showed that the teachings of TGH Muhammad Mutawalli took the teachings of the Naqsyabandiyah Qadiriyah tarekat as a basis. This tarekat reflects the harmonization of various tarekat teachings, such as Naqsyabandiyah, Syaziliyah, Ghazaliyyah, and Syuhrawardiyyah. The spiritual education of the Sasak Wetu Telu community focuses on developing a love for Allah SWT, respect for nature, oral traditions, literary arts, and pepaosan as a store of spiritual messages. In conclusion, the teachings of TGH Muhammad Mutawalli in strengthening the spiritual education of the wetu telu congregation are indicated by the strength of the spirituality of the wetu telu congregation or the strengthening of belief in Allah SWT, the increasing intensity of worship of the wetu telu congregation, the establishment of houses of worship, and the creation of harmonization in the level of the social life of the community.

Tradition of Minstrelsy in Turkic Peoples

The minstrel competition is one of the traditions that emerged in oral literature. The emergence process of this tradition, its original character that shapes its dramatic and lyrical elements, and its unique performance ritual have enabled it to emerge as a tradition. Minstrelsy; since it is an ancient tradition that is the continuation of shamanlyk (hayloft), bakshylyk (bakshy) and ozanlyk (minstrelsy) it appears in the oral literature tradition of the Turkic peoples. For this reason, our study analyzes one of the current issues of folklore to address and compare the spread of the minstrelsy tradition in Turkic peoples and the state of research in the region. The aim of our study is to evaluate the spreading characteristics, nomenclature, sub-types, and research on the subject of the tradition of minstrelsy in the oral works of literature of Anatolian, Azerbaijani, Turkmen, Uzbek, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Karakalpak, Tatar, Bashkir, Uyghur, and Altai Turks. The studies of such researchers as B. Kebekova, S. Nasirov, R. Muhammadiyev, B. Sarımsakov, A. Musakulov, M. Kuşmakov, K. Bazarov, N. Davkarayev, S. Karaş, O. Aydın, N. Kutlusoy, T. Kovalskiy, M. Auezov, S. Mukanov, E. Ismayılov, K. Cumacanov etc., who examined the tradition of minstrel dueling in Turkic peoples with the typological comparison method, constitute the literature basis of our research. As a result of our research, it has been determined that poetic innovation should also be addressed in the tradition of minstrel dueling in Turkic peoples, together with comparative folk literature, folklore, history of literature, and the effect of historical periods on the tradition, subject, and ideology.

Cultural Parallels and Unique Features Kyrgyz and Native Americans: Comparative Analysis

This paper examines the cultural parallels and unique features of Kyrgyz people and Native Americans, shedding light on the remarkable similarities and differences that define these two distinct indigenous groups. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this study examines the historical, social, and cultural aspects of both Native Americans and Kyrgyz, seeking to unravel the complexity of their traditions, beliefs, and practices. The study reveals striking parallels between spiritual beliefs and reverence for nature that are deeply rooted in both cultures. The symbolic significance of animals, the spiritual connection to the earth, and the practice of traditional healing techniques reflect a shared appreciation of the natural world and a harmonious relationship with the environment. Moreover, oral traditions and stories from both groups serve as vital channels for preserving cultural heritage and passing ancestral wisdom from one generation to the next. On the other hand, the unique traits of each culture are revealed through the study of their artistic expressions, linguistic diversity and social structures. The nomadic heritage of the Kyrgyz has shaped their customs and folklore, while the diverse linguistic traditions and artistic skills of Native American tribes demonstrate the richness of their cultural traditions. In addition, the impact of historical and contemporary influences on both groups is examined to elucidate the resilience and adaptation of their cultural identities. The enduring legacy of colonialism and the persistence of indigenous knowledge in the face of contemporary challenges provide a critical backdrop for understanding the dynamic nature of Native American and Kyrgyz cultures. By contrasting these cultural characteristics, this comparative analysis aims to foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of global indigenous communities while respecting the distinctiveness of their heritage. Ultimately, this study aims to stimulate intercultural dialogue and promote mutual understanding by highlighting the richness of human diversity and the enduring spirit of resilience of indigenous peoples.

Preserving Traditional Ghanaian Folklore through Storytelling

This study examines the role of storytelling in preserving traditional Ghanaian folklore, considering its significance in cultural continuity and identity formation. Ghana boasts a rich tapestry of oral traditions, comprising myths, legends, proverbs, and folktales that have been passed down through generations. However, in the face of modernization and globalization, these indigenous narratives face the risk of being marginalized or forgotten. Through qualitative analysis and literature review, this paper explores how storytelling serves as a vital mechanism for the transmission and preservation of Ghanaian folklore. It investigates the cultural, social, and educational implications of storytelling practices within Ghanaian communities, highlighting their capacity to instill values, foster intergenerational bonds, and reinforce cultural pride. Moreover, the study investigates contemporary initiatives aimed at revitalizing traditional storytelling methods, such as community storytelling events, educational programs, and digital media platforms. By recognizing the intrinsic value of storytelling in safeguarding Ghana's cultural heritage, this research underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure the continued vitality and relevance of Ghanaian folklore in the modern era.

From criminal radicalism to gay and lesbian lobbyism: a transnational approach to the Scandinavian homophile movement, 1948–1971

ABSTRACT This article describes and analyzes the development of the three Scandinavian national associations for homo- and bisexuals from their founding in 1948 through 1971. This is the first time these associations are analysed as a transnational network rather than nationally divided entities. Using documentary evidence from the national archives of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden as well as other archives, this article establishes the development of the Scandinavian movement based on primary evidence, and is thus able to correct, nuance, and expand upon the ‘oral traditions’ that have been the standard in Scandinavian historiography in this field. The article argues that the transnational angle on the movement brings out new perspectives and offers a new periodization of homophile or gay and lesbian activist history. It concludes that the Scandinavian movements cannot be fitted into the typical American timeline of gay and lesbian activism, and thus opens the question of how European LGBT history differs from those in the United States.

The Influence of Folklore in the Formation of Local Cultural Values: A Phenomenological Approach

Folklore has become an integral part of a society's cultural heritage. This study aims to explore the influence of folklore in the formation of local cultural values using a phenomenological approach. The research method used was interviews and data analysis. The data collected was analyzed using a phenomenological approach to understand the subjective experiences of individuals in understanding and responding to folklore. The results showed that folklore has a significant role in shaping local cultural values. Respondents revealed that folklore is not only a medium to convey these values, but also an integral part of cultural identity. The diversity of folklore reflects the diversity of cultural values in the community. In addition, this study highlights the role of the individual in interpreting folklore. Individual subjective experiences play an important role in how folktales are understood and internalized. Contextual factors such as oral traditions, cultural rituals and social structures also influence the way folktales are conveyed and received by the community. Implications of this research include the importance of understanding the role of folklore in the education of local cultural values and in cultural heritage preservation efforts. With a better understanding of the influence of folklore, more effective educational programs and more targeted cultural preservation efforts can be designed.

Aging in Indigenous Communities: Perspective from Two Ancestral Communities in the Colombian Andean-Amazon Region.

The phenomenon of world aging is not foreign to indigenous communities. In the last few years, research about these communities around the world has increased, but aging in indigenous towns still has not been studied widely. The purpose of this research is to interpret the meaning of old age in two indigenous communities from the Colombian Andean-Amazon region (the Inga and Kamëntsa) to reinforce the relevance of the local sociocultural context within the configuration of the meaning of old age and to emphasize the importance of considering particular regional characteristics for the design of policies and interventions aiming to recognize and integrate indigenous populations. This is a qualitative study with an interactionism-symbolism approach. In total, six indigenous people older than 60 years from two ancestral communities from the Colombian Andean-Amazon region participated in the in-depth interviews. Data analysis was carried out in three moments: discovery, coding, and relativization of the information. The results show that old age means wisdom, "I am wise," which is supported in the cosmology and the trajectory of life, reinforces the identity and autonomy, and allows them to be agents in the dynamics of their communities from the "I do," in other words, their roles as builders of the family-society and as guards of ancestral knowledge. The loss of this knowledge and the elements that it is composed of uproot them and put them at risk of disappearing as individuals and as a collective. In conclusion, the meaning of old age in these communities is not centered on a determinate age; you are not old, you are wise, and as such, they play a central role in their communities. Moreover, wisdom is built in parallel with their cosmology and assigns them the task of safekeeping ancestral knowledge. In order to do this, they use oral tradition as a tool, words that are born in their territories, travel in a nonlinear timeline, and get strengthened by the community while also protecting it and building it. Knowing what aging means for Indigenous communities can facilitate to the development of policies and initiatives and to provide culturally appropriate and effective programs.

Singing Blackness

In this article I propose the exploration of racial discourse in recent Black Caribbean rap and hip-hop productions. Rap and hip-hop are often used as a sociopolitical tool that—through writing and language—achieve to create activist movements. Specifically, I study the work of the Cuban hip-hop group Obsesión [Obsession] and of Cuban rapper Robe L Ninho and the work of Dominican rappers Circuito Negro and JNoa. I particularly focus on some of their songs that make of the genre an opportunity to approach the racial topic in their communities and a way to celebrate Blackness. This way, these hip-hop and rap songs break the most commercial, common, and expected pattern of lyrics that focus on topics that oversexualize the female (Black) body, that often objectify women, and that reproduce a patriarchal and heteronormative discourse. Instead, these songs, through the topics that they explore, aim to create community and craft a space for social activism. They do so, for example, by singing about hair (Obsesión and Robe L Ninho) and by singing about their Afro-Caribbean communities and their existence as Black people in their neighborhoods (Circuito Negro, JNoa). Among a variety of tracks, I mainly focus on songs that are connected in topic and that represent a continuumin the production of approximately the last decade. So, for example I analyze the songs “Los pelos [Hair]” by Obsesión (2014) and “N.E.G.R.O. [N.E.G.R.O.]” by Robe L Ninho (2022) that focus on Afro hair, celebrate the beauty of it, and denounce the prejudices against it almost a decade apart from each other. Then, I focus on the song “Revolufunk” by Circuito Negro (2011) and the song “Qué fue[What Happened?]” (2022) by JNoa. In this case also there is a generational gap between the artists that symbolize both the evolution of the genre and the consistency of the topics that they cover and that are connected to Blackness. In addition to the racial discourse and the connection of topics across the last decade, these songs also create an inter-Caribbean discourse that transcends the concept of nation and nationality and instead identifies with and shapes a message for Black Spanish-speaking Caribbean people. These songs reveal a poetic that adds urban sounds to a spoken word tradition and that mixes writing, oral tradition, and language in lieu to create a sociopolitical activist movement for Afro-Caribbean people. Also, by focusing on race in countries where the Black communities are often made invisible, they shed light on minorities that usually are relegated to the lowest layers of society. Thus, through their music, these artists raise awareness on their Blackness and on their communities, but they also create a transversal Afro-Caribbean narrative that connects and creates a sense of community among Blacks in the Caribbean in their native Spanish language. This study, so, represents an opportunity to shift a US-centered discourse on Blackness and race and opens new ways of living and understanding the African diaspora in other geographies.