The Techniques Of Story-Telling Performance In Ekiti Narrative Tradition, Nigeria

Abstract

Each culture has its own forms of educating and entertaining its citizens. In Ekiti, folktales are a form of entertainment, relaxation and education for the child. This art form is performed later in the day when all the day's chores and meals are over. To make the exercise interesting and memorable to the child, a narrator is free, within bounds, to spice her narratives to the best of her narrative skill. Folktales in Ekiti tradition are in various forms. While there are dilemma tales others are etiological. There are those that have "expansible image" as well as those in which all actions are completed in one plot. Tales without accompanying songs usually appear dry, and uninteresting, they are not much different from ordinary discourse. Those with accompanying songs are interesting and allow the audience to participate actively instead of listening actively.