Oral Literature: A Tool for Security and National Integration

This paper attempts to discuss oral literature as a vital instrument for security and national integration. All through human history, literature and culture has been a vehicle for revolutionary change in the society. Oral literature has contributed a lot in this regard. The importance of folktales in African tradition and in the Nigerian society in particular in ensuring peace and harmony cannot be overemphasized. A number of scholars in the last two decades have emphasized on the issue of security and the causes of insecurity in Nigeria. Proper attention has not been given to security matters in the country. On the contrary, contemporary African societies including Nigeria are experiencing disharmony and are most often engulfed with conflicts and social disorder, which are threatening their peace and corporate existence as one nation. It is against this background that the paper examines some ways in which oral literature could inculcate the virtue of love, peace, unity, moral and ethical revolution in the society not only in Nigeria but in other African societies. In doing this, we examine Igbo folktales. Our findings show that oral literature is the best and easiest way to ensure that security is maintained and to restore national integration.