SUMMARY
This long essay examined the dramatization of folklore in The Marriage of Anansewa and Morountodun reflecting the heritage of African custom, belief and tradition through the use of stroytelling, songs along with chant, myth and legend of the folk of Ghana and Yoruba respectively.
Chapter one is the general introduction of the study, chapter two examine the use of storytelling and song in The Marriage of Anansewa. The play explore the Ghanian storytelling art called 'Anansesem' and the musical performance called 'Mboguo' songs which are performed as the play enfolds. Ananse story in the play shows the trickish act of Ananse who collected things from his daughter suitors, when the suitors announced that they are coming to take their bride, he fake her death in order to avert the disaster that follows his greediness.
Chapter three analysis the use of songs along with chant in Morountodun. The play shows the importance of songs such as: war songs which is use to arouse the spirit of the warriors, work song which is use to ease work stress, dirge a mourning song and the use of chant (praise-chant) to celebrate great personality.
Chapter four focuses on the use of myth and legend in Morountodun. Myth is use to tell us about hero like Moremi of Ile-Ife and legend is a genre of folklore that contains oral history. The play as we see is the mythical story of Moremi a brave woman of Ile-Ife, who stand to rescue her community from the hands of their neighbouring village that always turn their happy moment into mourning whenever they invade their land. Moremi takes the challenge to save the people when the gods, men and even the King refuses to save the community from the hands of her enemy.
