ORAL TRADITIONAL ELEMENTS IN NIGERIAN LITERATUREA: WOLE SOYINKA’S DEATH AND THE KING’S HORSEMAN AND BOSEDE ADEMILUA-AFOLAYAN’S ONCE UPON AN ELEPHANT AS A CASE STUDY

Abstract

In Nigeria, oral tradition preserves the rich collection of the country’s diverse heritage and embodies the essence of collective identity. This study examines the manifestation of oral tradition in literary works through a focused examination of Wole Soyinka's "Death and the King's Horseman" and Bosede Ademilua-Afolayan's "Once Upon an Elephant." The methodological approach uses textual analysis to examine how oral elements are incorporated into the texts. The results shed light on the complex ways in which these literary works interact with Nigeria's oral tradition.