INTRODUCTION

To talk about poetry raises the question of what relationship, if any oral poetry has to

do poetry. Talking about the two we are essentially talking about the culture of a group of

people. This culture is given expression by the language of the people. It is poetic language

that is used to express their ideas. Words and common words are spoken everyday by the

masses in communicating with one another. When these words are spoken, it resupposes that

the listener is not mute. The listener is also able to speak and make appropriate responses.

Poetry here refers to as rhythmical form of words which expressed the imaginative-emotional

intellectual experience of the poet in a way that creates a similar experience in the mind of

the reader or listener. This pronouncement shows that the poet uses a combination of words-

symbols to convey his ideas. Whether or not he succeds depends on how well he manipulates

the word-symbols. He uses common words that touch us emotionally and spoken orally.

Oral poetry is poetry that lives in the mouth of the people and is transmitted verbally

from one person to another.

The concise Oxford Dictionary defines “oral” as “spoken, verbal, by word of mouth”.

Oral poetry is unwritten poetry. According to Finnegan (1970:14).

„Oral tradition‟ (including whatever should now call oral literature) is passed down word for word from generation to generation and thus reproduced verbation from memory throughout the centuries or alternatively, that arises communally from the people or the „folk‟ as a whole so that there can be no question of individual authorship or originality.

Oral poetry essentially circulates by oral rather than written means. In contrast to written

poetry, its distribution, composition or performance is by word of mouth and not through

reliance on the written or printed word. Cuddon (1977:465) says;

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Poetry belonging to this tradition is composed orally or made up as the poet goes along. As a rule it is usually sung, chanted or recited and it is the earliest of all poetry, in the sense that it precedes written poetry.

This is the poetry that is fading away in many parts of Hausa lands because of the fast

emerging technology that comes with modern musical equipment. As literacy is now

speeding throughout the entire world at a rapid rate, oral poetry seems destined in time to

disappear if it is not collected and stored in accordance with one of the objectives of this

study.

Praise poems exist in many different parts of Africa, its laudatory verse is addressed

to Emirs, chiefs, and even ordinary persons including children. In a way the term “praise

poetry” is a misnomer since such poems contain elements of satire and at times whole

passages can be abusive. The subject of the praise poem may include anything from people to

lifeless objects. In this way we may talk of poems composed in praise of practically anything.

The poem may be partially narrative or wholly descriptive. When the praise poem is in the

form of narrative, it glorifies the deeds of individuals and gives details of successful battles

waged. When it is descriptive, some attributes of the addressed is usually sighted out for

extended treatment.

Historical Evolution of Oral Songs in Hausa Society

In the writings of Leo Africanus, Al Magriz; and Ibn Batuta in Bargery, (1933) the

term Hausa is not found, but other names of countries or peoples being used made it clear that

the forerunners of the present Hausas are intended. It is, however, most interesting that in the

earliest of all the writings mentioned, those of Ibn Said (died 1286), the form al Hausin is

found. It is used to designate a tribe living west of Lake Chad and spoken of as a branch of

Zaghawa, a people who lived in Kenem. This corresponds to a modern term Aussa reported

as sometimes found now in use among peoples of the Chad Basin, and in particular, as used

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among people living in the certain shores to denote the people living on the Western side. It

can be argued from this that, the ancestors of the Hausas lived in the farther East than the

Hausas of today. Bargery, (1933)

A somewhat fuller record was gotten from Leo Africanus (1492 – 1526: his book was

published in Latin in 1556). Although he mainly described the several regions which are now

part of the Hausa land and in which Hausa was spoken and is spoken. These are Gubar (i.e.

Gobir), Agades, Kano, Kesena (Katsina), Zegzeg (i.e. Zaria), Zamfara, and Guangara (i.e.

Wangara). From his description of the people of Agades and Gobir, it is clear that he is

describing rather Berber tribes who had come from the north in the former and Berber or

Fulbe (Fulani) herdsmen in the latter, then Hausa as we know them today. Bargery, (1933)

Tradition