Aesthetics and Functions of Praise Poetry: A Case Study of a Dagara Tradition
Date
1997-05
Authors
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
DanU is a popular art form among the Dagara. It is literally
a praise song or chant performed to celebrate the exploits of an
individual in the community. Its characteristics conveniently
locate it within the realm of poetry despite its orality.
Its poetic features which include figurative expressions,
such as metaphors, similes and hyperboles generally elevate its
language above the normal speech level. Formal and prosodic
features like structural repetitiveness, parallelism and
alliteration infuse it with rhythm that underscores its
belongingness to poetry.
As praise poetry, danu is dynamic and grows with time as
events of the past are neatly interwoven with those of the
present. It is one oral art form that has a long range and
extends into other verbal art forms like the dirge and the
grinding song.
DanU is popular not only because of "its aesthetic value , but
also because of its sociological and psychological functions
among the people. For that reason the artists of this genre are
accorded reverence in terms of the relevance of their creative
compositions and performances .
Description
MPhil. English
Keywords
Poetry, Dagara Tradition