What is Literature? Meaning, Functions & Sources of African Literature Explained (JAMB/WAEC)
Literature is the body of written or oral works that use language creatively to express ideas, emotions, and experiences, often reflecting the values and culture of a society.
This topic – meaning, functions, and sources of African literature, is a foundational one in JAMB and WAEC Literature-in-English, usually tested through definition and explanation questions before students move on to specific set texts. This lesson breaks down what literature is, why it matters, and where African literature comes from.
Quick takeaways
- Literature is creative writing or oral expression that communicates ideas, emotions, and cultural values through language.
- Literature generally falls into three genres: prose, drama, and poetry.
- Its main functions include entertainment, education, moral instruction, cultural preservation, and social commentary.
- African literature draws from two main sources: oral tradition (folktales, proverbs, myths) and written literature (influenced by colonial education and later by independence-era writers).
- Exam questions often ask you to state and explain the functions of literature, so learn each function with a brief example, not just a list of terms.
Timestamps
- 0:00 Introduction
- 0:58 Meaning of Literature
- 10:42 Functions of Literature
- 6:32 Sources of African Literature
What is literature?
Literature is the body of written or spoken works that use language in a creative and imaginative way to express ideas, emotions, and human experiences.
Unlike ordinary factual writing, literature is distinguished by its artistic use of language – including imagery, symbolism, and style, and it typically falls into one of three broad genres: prose (novels, short stories), drama (plays), and poetry.
What are the functions of literature?
Literature serves several purposes beyond simple storytelling, and JAMB/WAEC frequently test these directly:
- Entertainment – literature engages and delights readers through storytelling, humor, and drama
- Education/Information – literature teaches readers about history, society, and human nature
- Moral instruction – many literary works, especially African oral tales, are designed to teach lessons about right and wrong
- Cultural preservation – literature records and passes on a society’s traditions, beliefs, and values across generations
- Social commentary – literature often critiques political, social, or economic issues within a society
A strong exam answer names the function and gives a brief explanation or example, rather than just listing single words.
What are the sources of African literature?
African literature draws from two broad, interconnected sources:
- Oral tradition – the older and foundational source, consisting of folktales, myths, legends, proverbs, riddles, and songs passed down verbally from generation to generation, often used to entertain and teach moral lessons within communities.
- Written literature – a more recent development, shaped significantly by the introduction of Western-style education during colonial rule, which enabled African writers to record stories in written form, first often in European languages and later increasingly incorporating indigenous languages and oral storytelling techniques.
Many celebrated African writers deliberately blend both sources, drawing on oral storytelling traditions (proverbs, folktale structures, communal narration) while writing in the modern written form.
Why does understanding “sources” matter for exams?
Understanding oral tradition as the root of African literature helps explain recurring features tested in WAEC/JAMB set texts – such as the use of proverbs, communal narrators, and moral-driven plots – since these techniques carry over from oral storytelling into written African literature.
Recognizing this connection often helps students answer questions about style and technique in specific prose or drama texts, not just the “meaning and functions” topic itself.
Common mistakes students make with this topic
- Defining literature too narrowly as “just novels,” ignoring drama and poetry
- Listing functions without explaining or exemplifying them
- Treating oral tradition as separate from, rather than foundational to, written African literature
- Confusing “sources of African literature” with “types of African literature” – sources refer to where it comes from (oral vs written), not genre classification
Frequently asked questions
Q: What are the three main genres of literature? The three main genres are prose (novels and short stories), drama (plays), and poetry, each using language creatively but in a distinct form.
Q: What are the main functions of literature? The main functions include entertainment, education, moral instruction, cultural preservation, and social commentary, each reflecting a different way literature serves its audience and society.
Q: What are the two main sources of African literature? The two main sources are oral tradition (folktales, proverbs, myths, and songs passed down verbally) and written literature (which developed more recently, shaped significantly by colonial-era education).
Q: How does oral tradition influence modern African written literature? Many African writers incorporate storytelling techniques from oral tradition – such as proverbs, communal narrators, and moral-driven plots – into their written prose, drama, and poetry.
This is one topic from our full JAMB & WAEC Literature-in-English course — see everything covered →
