Description
The study of oral traditions and verbal arts leads into an area of human culture to which anthropologists are increasingly turning their attention. Oral Traditions and the Verbal Arts provides up-to-date guidance on how to approach the study of oral form and their performances, treating both the practicalities of fieldwork and the methods by which oral texts and performances can be observed, collected or analysed. It also relates to those current controversies about the nature of performance and of 'text'.
Designed as a practical and systematic introduction to the processes and problems of researching in this area, this is an invaluable guide for students, and lecturers of anthropology and cultural studies and also for general readers who are interested in enjoying oral literature for its own sake.
About the Author
Ruth Finnegan is Professor in Comparative Social Institutions at the Open University. She was editor of the anthropological journal Man from 1987 to 1989, and is the author of many books and articles, including Literacy and Orality, Oral Literature in Africa and Oral Poetry.
Reviews
`... enormous utility to anyone - beginning or experienced - undertaking gathering of verbal art in the field or attempting to deal with verbal art gathered by others.' - Anthropos
Book Information
ISBN 9780415048415
Author Ruth Finnegan
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 385g
