The Intrinsic Value of Oramedia for Development

Abstract

The Ethical Paradigm of Development starts with the premise that there has been little or no progress in the African Society because of widespread corruption and fraud, both in financial and in behavioral terms. This paradigm is advocating Civilization, which is the cultivation of mind for the higher ideals of the society. Contending that it is when we develop the mind and the man that we can talk of development in every sphere of the society, the paradigm believes Civilization is the foundation for meaningful development in Africa, and indeed, in the entire world.


Significantly, this paper highlights the intrinsic values of African folklores (which, in this instance, we shall also refer to as Oramedia) for this Ethical Paradigm of Development. The Oramedia or Oral Arts come in various forms: myths, folktales, proverbs, music, songs, Ifa corpus etc. These Oral Arts, which intrinsically, are oral ethics, are invaluable in mobilizing people towards the Ethical Revolution. The Oral Arts, however, may not just speak Ethics; they can as well be used to popularize messages bordering on social development.


Humanities Review Journal Vol.4 2004: 18-30