Abstract

In this study, the researcher investigated how storytelling and singing of the songs of culture among BaMasaaba of Uganda affect each other, and why oral narratives disappear in that community, while the cultural songs prosper. An additional aim of the study is to find out how the obstacles in promoting oral narratives can be addressed.According to the findings of the study, culture is an important element in people’s lives, because it brings social cohesion among the people of a particular society and they look at themselves as one people. This enhances peace and stability in society, which in turn brings about development. Oral narratives and cultural songs are some of the basic elements of culture. These are methods of communication for socio-economic development which are unfortunately not being utilized to the maximum chiefly because they are competing against other means of communication. Yet, if a person does not communicate effectively through the methods which are known to the people, one curtails their development. Unfortunately, the BaMasaaba who in the ancient times promoted oral narratives and cultural songs in the same way, have not taken the initiative in the present times to promote their culture of storytelling as they have done with the cultural songs. Therefore, as their cultural songs prosper, their culture of storytelling is generally disappearing.

Key words: Storytelling, BaMasaaba, narration, Oral narratives.