How Oral Tradition Could Save Literature
Sofia Ramirez
By Sylvia Anita 1968 | Pinterest
Lately, reading and maintaining focus has been a struggle. Reading had once been one of my proudest hobbies to have. Week after week, I would immerse myself in the greatest classics of literature and devour stories with never ending hunger. Over the years, social media became the greatest thief of my time. Though I feel the same desire to connect with others and learn new information, the desire that made me read so many books, social media’s ability to grant these needs instantly gives me the sense I am “maximizing” my time by getting the immediate and varied gratification rather than going through a five-hundred-page journey. Sometimes, I have sat down for hours trying to continue reading but I simply lose focus, no matter if I set the time and place to the perfect conditions.To reinvigorate my attention, I have found a curious solution: replacing visual media for oral media.
Oral tradition is often overlooked by Western society, in which history is kept through a writing system. But other cultures rely on the power of oral communication to learn and teach important information. For instance, the Luba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo use a mnemonic device called lukasa, or memory board, to record their myths and the history of their ancestors by memorizing the patterns and beads found in the device. After learning each piece of the story, specially trained members of an elite named the Mbudye Society recite the stories along with a group of singers and dancers. In practices such as this, we can observe how literacy may not be restricted to a written format. Additionally, learning about history and poetry becomes a unifying aspect for the people, in which they are present and actively interacting with the stories told. As our current society struggles with reading books given the appeal of visual media, engaging in oral communication may present an alternative to regain a sense of community and an appreciation of literature.
Lukasa
Public events such as storytelling sessions at the public library, book club meetings, poetry slams, and fairs such as the Miami Book Fair help facilitate community community with other people interested in preserving culture and t authors. The written word comes to life as it flows from the mouths of their creators, and participation is encouraged as people ask questions and provide their own observations.
I always end up meeting new fascinating people whenever I go to these events, they provide an unparalleled opportunity to connect with others on an intellectual level. An essential aspect of literacy is to be able to exchange ideas and obtain new perspectives, which can best be done when we have other people in front of us. No matter how quick social media can be, no communication is as transparent and direct as face-to-face transmission of information.
In terms of attention, I noticed that, even though I quickly got tired after reading three pages, I could listen to hours-long podcasts with no trouble at all. Similarly, I could listen to entire albums and never skip a single song. This led me to search for free audiobooks on Youtube and test if I could stay concentrated long enough. I ended up consuming classical works of literature such as Shakespeare again, only this time in a format that allowed me to regain my attention little by little. When I struggle to do the readings for my classes, I have started to read out loud and now I become immediately interested in the subject.
In the past, I admit I would have found this a bit embarrassing. We tend to reproach and make fun of struggling with lecture, seeing it as childish or a sign of underdevelopment, but oral tradition is a valid way to learn new information and spread culture and it has been the source for invaluable human heritage such as folklore, poetry, and mythology. As we are pushed away from written mediums, oral media could be key in returning to consuming and creating more meaningful work.
In today’s world, in which the Middle Ages seem to be gaining popularity in fashion and social discourse with terms such as technofeudalism, this may be the time for us to become bards, gathering around our friends, and telling (and listening to) stories.
Strike Out,
Sofia Ramirez Suarez
Editor: Monica Ayesa Rodriguez
Sofia Ramirez Suarez was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on September 28, 2001. She was raised in Venezuela as the youngest of two daughters. When she was 16 years old, she moved to the United States. In 2019, she received her high school degree as a cum laude student at Ronald W. Reagan High School Doral. She went on to obtain her Associate in Arts degree at Miami Dade College in 2021. She has been published by Miambiance Arts & Literature Magazine Vol. 33 and Strike Miami Issue 6. She is currently pursuing her Art History Bachelor’s degree at Florida International University. Sofia is passionate about the arts and how classic and pop culture can be intertwined.
