The "oral" nature of African unwritten literature -- The perception of African oral literature -- The social, linguistic, and literary background -- Poetry and patronage -- Panegyric -- Elegiac poetry -- Religious poetry -- Special purpose poetry : war, hunting, and work -- Lyric -- Topical and political songs -- Children's songs and rhymes -- Prose narratives I : problems and theories -- Prose narratives II : content and form -- Proverbs -- Riddles -- Oratory, formal speaking , and other stylized forms -- Drum language and literature -- Drama.