Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

M.V. McDonald. "Orally Transmitted Poetry in Pre-Islamic Arabia and Other Pre-literate Societies." Journal of Arabic Literature, 9:14-31.

Argues that the compilation of fifth-century Jahiliyya poetry by eighth-century Arab anthologists has tended to obscure its oral origins. Reexamines and subdivides this "haphazard selection" of verse according to its social function, genre, and typical content. Notes the distinctively oral stylistic features characteristic of this tradition. Comparisons with OE, ON, OI, and other traditions show this "type of poetry attributed to Jahiliyya poets [to be] absolutely typical of the poetry of preliterate societies in general" (30-31).
Area: AR, OE, ON, OI, CP