University Daily Kansan / Friday, February 24, 1989
5
Professor ties literature to oral tradition in Africa
by Kathy Walsh
Kansan staff writer
The oral tradition is the basic reference of all expression in Africa, a Fulbright visiting professor said last night.
Ahiola Irle, professor of French and comparative literature at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, spoke on "The Imagination" in the Kansas Union
"Oral literature is the primary area of the African imagination." Irele said. "Oral literature is represented by the body of literature produced by traditional societies and cultures. It is a literature that is indigenous to Africa, but more folklore. It's there, it's developing, it's produced in various forms."
Trying to see what in literature can be related to a common factor, Irele said that there was a clear association between language and literature.
"The character of the language reflects the character of the literature." he said.
Irele, Fulbright visiting professor at Ohio State University, said
authors of American literature did not follow English tradition, nor did the English authors follow their counterparts in the United States.
In Africa, oral literature plays an important role in tradition.
"In the oral tradition, the text has an organic mode of existence," he said. "It was created, developed, and stored away in the memory of the creator. There is the tradition, and it's recorded like that.
"We must dispel the idea of traditional literature as folklore."
Irele said there was a need to create a distinctive black idiom.
Many autobiographical works have reflected a sense of a common experience throughout the black world, he said. Writers reflect their experiences as children who other grew up in community or in a western community.
The controlling action to African literature is that it reflects the historical, social and cultural experiences of the people, therefore giving them a feeling of autonomy toward the world. Irele said.
Ring them bells
Rehearsing with The Salem Ringers, Richelle Alhvers, Courtland freshman, and Dorothy Anderson, Lawrence resident, prepare for performances in the bell choir. The group practiced last night at the
Plymouth Congregational Church. Ahlvers and other KU students receive college credit for their participation in the group, which also consists of Lawrence residents.
THE JVCCARAUDIO SALE!
KS-R130 Cassette Car Receiver In-Dash Cassette With AM/FM Stereo-Radio
- digital PLL synthesized tuner and clock
• 20-station preset (15FM, 5AM)
• u-turn auto reserve
• separate bass and treble
LIST $229.95
NOW $149.95 Installed
- scan, preset scan and seek up and down tuning
* automatic loudness
* power fader
* output power: 8Wx2 (MAX)
- braidable stereo/mono amp *
* output power: stereo mode: 50Wx2 (MAX)
* mono (Bridged): 100W (MAX)
* frequency response: 20-40,000 Hz
LIST $224.95
NOW $149.95 Installed
0.04% THD (at 1kHz)
*gain control (0.1V-1 variable)
*line input terminal
*remote relay turn on system
Component Power Amplifier
- bridgeable stereo/mono amp
- remote relay turn on system
- 4" 2-way speaker
* H.H.C. woofer
* strontium magnet
* poly-ether imide balance drive tweeter
LIST $224.95
- 4 Ohms
* frequency response: 50-20,000 Hz
* humidity recording: 1.1/16"*
* power-handling capacity: 45 watts
* maximum music power
KS-A102 Stereo/Mono Power Amplifier
Car Speakers CS-X426 4" Two-way speakers Door Mount Speaker
LIST $104.95
NOW $59.95 Installed
LIST $104.95
KS-R150 Cassette Car Receiver In-Dash Cassette With AM/FM Stereo-Radio
- digital PLL synthesized tuner and clock
* 20-station preset (15FM,5AM)
* u-turn auto reverse
* Dolby B NR
* separate bass and treble
* scan and seek up and down tuning
- music scan
- automatic loudness
- power factor
- power ladder
- line output terminals
LIST $279.95
- output power: 8Wx2 (MAX)
NOW $199.95 Installed
- 6-1/2" 2-way speaker
- h:H:G. weber
* strontium magnet
- poly-ether imide balance
- 4 Ohms
* frequency response: 40-20,000Hz
- frequency response
- mounting depth: 1-13/16'
power-handling capacity 100 watts
LIST $114.95
CS-X626 6-1/2" Two-way speakers
NOW $69.95 Installed
Door/Rear Mount Speaker
---