Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

C.G.B. Gidley. "Roko: A Hausa Praise Crier's Account of His Craft." African Language Studies, 16:93-115.

Records Na Garin Danga's description of his craft, that of a free-lance praise-crier who performs without accompaniment. Includes sections on the origin, practice, and performance of the tradition of praise-crying, with specific reference to the damage such performances could do to one's reputation and the controls on this practice instituted by the Nigerian government. Sample cries from unregulated times also presented.
Area: AF