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Gabriel Okara The Voice Analysis

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Much before the spread of literary in the 20th century, texts were preserved by memory and recollected or recited portions from them when the occasion arose. Africa’s oral literature takes the form of prose, verse and proverbs and the texts vary in length from the ‘epic’ which might be performed over the course of several days to single sentence formulations such as a ‘proverb’. Keywords: Myth, folklore, proverbs, language, culture and tradition Gabriel Immomatimi Gbaingbain Okara’s novel The Voice is set in the immediate post-independence period. Okara depicts the early years of Independence when the politicians simply take over the methods of the colonial administration with improving the lot of the people as a whole. Gabriel Okra presents …show more content…

Benikurukuru! How? Have you come to take me? How! Have I in something defaulted? A sign show. Anything you ask I will sacrifice. Only show…” (62) It was also believed that if a person committed a crime and did not confess to it, then the person would face disaster in the near future-either by wrath of the clan’s deity or unnatural events. In the novel when Okolo is accused for having sheltered the betrothed girl Ebiere, he is asked to swear and invoke God “Hear O Amadosu! Something has fallen on my head which I do not know how to remove……… Things of the ground, also, hear and the head also hear!” (31) Typical of the traditional African society ruled by a group of elders, men of status and power whose decision ruled the clan.The elders came one by one to Chief Izongo’s house and when they had sat in a semi-circle facing Chief Izongo; Izongo called them each by his Praise name as it is usually done at gatherings and when something was to be discussed: Izongo : Yes. I am lightening. Nothing stands before lightening. What is yours? Second Elder: You are asking me? I am Water. Izongo: Water! Second Elder: Yes! I am Water. Water is the softest and the strongest be.” …show more content…

Like myths everywhere, African myths typically explain the creation of the universe, the activities of the Gods at the beginning of creation, the essence of all creatures and the nature of their relationship with each other. Next in importance is the legend, intended to enhance the listener’s understanding of the constitution of the universe. The African legend has much in common with the epic as both focus upon heroism. The folktale, another prose form is usually reserved as means of ‘night-time entertainment’. They are often employed in terms of social commentary and instruction but at the same time serve as a potent means of affirming group values and discouraging anti-social

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