"A morphological analysis of the Miitine small Clever animal stories"

Abstract

The inadequacy in the present method of classification for African stories has called for a deeper attention into the problem. It is evident that the methods that have so far been used to classify African Stories have had little or no regard for analysis hence the result has been an overlapping of categories. The study has thus set out to classify a group of stories by using a structural type of classification. The method is concerned with the formal organization of the text. It allows both a selection of items to be made as well as a detailed analysis of the items. The study has established that within these stories there are constant elements by which the stories can be described and defined. These constant elements can be rationalized to form logical sequences in narrative development. This hence leads to easy identification of patterns both at the surface and deeper levels. The identification of the constant elements, the logical sequence and patterns are used to determine the typology of the stories. This is confirmed by an establishment of an Ideal sequence into which each story within this group can fit. v The study is developed further into the discussion of the functions in relation to the Miitine culture. The important cultural meanings are embodied within the function which explains the reason for their stability within the stories.