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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Intrinsic Value of Oramedia for Development
Author:Salawu, AbiodunISNI
Year:2004
Periodical:Humanities Review Journal
Volume:4
Pages:18-30
Language:English
Geographic terms:Africa
Nigeria
Subjects:oral literature
folklore
ethics
Development and Technology
Education and Oral Traditions
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Abstract:The 'ethical paradigm of development' starts with the premise that there has been little or no progress in African society because of widespread corruption and fraud, both in financial and in behavioural terms. This paradigm is advocating 'civilization', which is the cultivation of mind for the higher ideals of society. Contending that it is when we develop the mind and the man that we can talk of development in every sphere of the society, the paradigm believes civilization is the foundation for meaningful development in Africa, and indeed, in the entire world. This paper highlights the intrinsic values of African folklores (which, in this instance, are also referred to as 'oramedia') for this ethical paradigm of development. The oramedia or oral arts come in various forms: myths, folktales, proverbs, music, songs, Ifa corpus etc. These oral arts, which intrinsically, are oral ethics, are invaluable in mobilizing people towards the 'ethical revolution'. The oral arts, however, may not just speak ethics; they can as well be used to popularize messages bordering on social development. Texts of poems in the Yoruba and the Igbo language (Nigeria) with English translations serve as an illustration. Bibliogr., online sum. (Also published in: Humanities Review Journal, vol. 6 (2006), p. 46-61.) [Journal abstract]
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