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Introduction
The history of language parallels the history of people; handed down first orally and then in written form. Let's first look at the oral tradition in Biblical and Greek cultural times and the use of the traveling chivalric poets as examples (because these are familiar although I have studied the history of other languages and they all seem to follow a similar pattern: Chinese, Bushmen, etc.). Who were the first story tellers? What was their purpose? In early groups there was a delineation of tasks. There were hunters and gatherers. There were warriors and those who guided the tribe spiritually and those who planned its nomadic routes. My belief is based on the research conducted about indigenous tribes in North and South Americas and in readings about South Pacific island cultures. And in all of these cultures there was someone who told the deeds of the cultures heroes; and of the great and tragic activities of those who had come before current time. At times in certain cultures, these were the warrior poets who promoted the cult of heroic deeds. But, in both some of the native cultures of the Americas and of the Pacific peoples there are songs of great spiritual meaning that have been handed down from pre-historic times. All of these cultures and even our own have some creation tale. Even the Biblical tales were once only handed down from generation to generation orally.
The Reality of It All (as I see it ) It wasn't until c.5,000 BC when the Biblical creation tales (and please no bricks - I know that they are the words of God, I'm just trying to make a point for the oral tradition) were written down and copied and carried with the tribes. The Torah is still anchored in its oral tradition, recited at Temple using cantors. Using recitation and memory keys the oral story teller would recite what they had been trained to do. Some of the best ways to remember a long tale is to put the words into some type of song. And, I'm not talking about the modern two and half minute tune that you might hear in your car or on your iPod; although these do, at times, reach artistic levels as well. Because the tribes were nomadic and illiterate, among the tribal groups were those who were tasked with remembering and reciting the creation tale as handed down by God. Ancient Jewish, Christian, and Muslim cultures later picked up on these tales and made them their own. Even when these stories were written down, they were mainly told and understood orally for centuries. The story of Abraham was transmitted from place to place on the lips of priests, cantors, and traveling storytellers (poets). These travelers would recite the story of Abraham in either the court or in the tents of these nomadic folks. The story of David was often put into verse and all of the early Psalms are songs of instruction or songs of praise. The Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalms) states:
The oral history of the Iliad and the Odessy is another example of the power of poetry. Even though Homer is considered the "author" of these two epic poems, he seems to be credited with recording these two oral, epic poems that served to both entertain and instruct ancient Greeks. Librarythinkquest.org (http://library.thinkquest.org/19300/data/Hist/slide6.htm) states:
In both of these ancient cultures we see the strong presence of the poet. The oral tradition lasts well into the time of the written word. Printed material was at a premium and was not as passed around as much as the traveling poet. Jumping ahead in time to fifth century
England, Beowulf is the best known example of the tradition
of the oral epic poem. Beowulf was written in England,
but is set in Scandinavia. It is an epic poem told in historical
perspective; a story of epic events and of great people of a
heroic past. Although the author is unknown, its themes and subject
matter are generally believed to be formed through oral tradition,
the passing down of stories by scops (tale singers) and is considered
partly historical.
All of these epic poems were first recited, copied later, and then handed down in written form after the printed press. Of course there are written forms of all of these poems, but that is not how they traveled from court to castle. Is There A Conclusion and Disclaimer? Rather than drone on, there is a strong tradition of the poet in all of societies and cultures. Poets serve the purpose of transmitting both divine and mundane tradition. Poets were early moral instructors and entertainers. Next time you are at a poetry reading or recital, remember how far back our tradition actually goes. You are speaking on the shoulders of those who go back to the dawn of language. As I state over and again this is not an
academic paper. This is just my introduction to you. I hope that
I have opened a window and that you will look out and feel the
breeze of greatness. Thanks. © Harry Furness 2009 Send Harry a message either directly. For more from Jo visit the Word Catalyst archives. HTML Comment Box is loading comments...
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How
old is poetry? That is a strange remark that I heard the other
day. The history of poetry is as old as the history of language.
When man (and of course this includes woman) first started speaking
and telling tales around the fire, there was no doubt someone
present who spoke of the tribe and recounted its oral history.
This does of course include both conjecture and my fractured
view of the world; however, even today when people gather there
is always an individual who recalls tales of the group. And what
easier way is there than to put the tales of the tribe into the
context of song or in some type of easily remembered format.
Higher Ground
Cheshire Cat
Truly Calhoun
Songs of