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Scholars agree that oral literature is used prominently in various areas around theworld.In African societies, oral literature was used as the primary means of education; however, such education was done using various ways such as folktales. African folktalesreflect theculture of its people,likewise, Yorùbáand Maasai folktales also display their peoples’ rich culture. Most folktales are stories that have a specified beginning and are usually passed on by word-of-mouth. Folktales represent the cultural attitude of any community and are specific to a specified location and period. This thesis examines similarities and differences betweenthe Yorùbáand Maasai folktales by focusing on threethemes: occupation, moral lessons,and religious beliefs. More specifically, this studyanalyzes selected folktales written by two authors,M.I.Ogumefu of Western Africa andKoiMbugua of East Africa,by showing their style of presentation, setting of the tales, characters,andnarrative style.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...v
LIST OF FIGURES........viii
CHAPTER
1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW...1
General Discussion on Culture and Folktales...1
Yorùbá and Maasai Cultures and Folktales...3
Yorùbá Culture and Folktales...3
Maasai Culture and Folktales...5
Road Map of the Thesis...7
Conclusion...7
2 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE...9
Background of Oral Tradition and Folktales Scholarship...9
Oral Literature and Written Literature ...9
Concept of African Oral Literature...12
African Folktales and Folktales...18
Categories of Folktales...23
Legend and Myth...23
Trickster Tales/Fables...26
3 FUNCTIONS AND ROLE OF AFRICAN FOLKTALES...27
Introduction...27
Scholarly Views on Functions and Roles of African Folktales ...27
Functions and Roles of African Folkales...29
Education and Training...29
Entertainment...34
Cultural and Historical Records...36
Attestation of Existence of Events...39
Observation and Documentation of the Environment...39
Acquiring Conflict Resolution Skills...40
Confirming Group Membership or Identity...41
4 A COMPARISON OF THE YORÙBÁ AND MAASAI CULTURES...42
Introduction...42
A Comparison of the Yorùbá and Maasai Cultures...42
Narrations of Mbugua’s Inkishu: The Enkai Great Gift and Ogumefu’s The Kingdom of the Yorùbá...43
Thematic Analysis of Two Tales: Mbugua’s Inkishu: The Enkai Great Giftand Ogumefu’s The Kingdom of theYorùbá...45
Narrations of Mbugua’s The Forest of the Lost Childand Ogumefu’s The Leopard-Man...51
Thematic Analysis of the Two Tales: Mbugua’s The Forest of the Lost Childand Ogumefu’s The Leopard-Man...53
Narration of Mbugua’s The Sacred Mountain Oldinyio and Lenkai Ogumefu’s Orisa Oko...56
Thematic Analysis of the Two Tales: Mbugua’s The Sacred Mountain Oldinyio and Lenkai Ogumefu’s Orisa Oko...59
5 CONCLUSION...63
REFERENCES..67