Functionist theory

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        Oral literature refers to the unwritten literature which depends on the performer who formulates it in words on the specific location and helps it to be actualized. Ruth Finnegan, (1970).Also oral literature is the creative texts that are appeals to our imagination such as plays, stories as well as poems. Where by sources of oral literature comes from elders than Youngs due to background of culture and to be active.
       Functionist theory refers to the theory that developed by Bronislaw malinowsk and Redcliff Brown in the second half of nineteenth century. The theory state that orature is an aid to the understanding social organism, culture, thought and creating activities, where by the Functionist emerged as a method of studying the life and culture of society by examining the functions or roles performed by anything practiced in the society.
         Hence, the Functionist theory is very important to the oral literature of our community because through this theory influence the societies to be educated also emphasis more on warning people in different ways through listening songs, proverbs, narratives as well as riddles. So through this situation am going to apply Functionist theory to the oral literature by drawing examples from narratives, proverbs, riddles and songs which can be explained by using makua language from my community and translated them into English language as follows;
          Narratives; refers to the expression of our experience about events that changing over time which always is representation of reality from the particular perspectives to express meaning, Abbot, H. Porter(2002). Also is a piece of writing that relates a story from real life events experienced by the author, where by narratives always have characters, setting and plot that is sequence of events.
           Where by narratives are very important in the society, hence by supporting with Functionist theory, narratives educate people in the society which can be verified by the following narrative which based on my native language which can be translated into English language below as follows;
          ''Nihuku nimoka Ababa ni ifamilia yo utajiri ahochisa asana mwalopwana wo mwanene usafarini iinchi ikina uweha hatu wo umasikini.Vano wahorwaa mchana no uhiyu utimani mwa maasikini,vano ibaada yo uweha yayo hatu wo umasikini asana ale na ababaye ahoturuha uwani nanso asana ale ahopata iakili vakani yo chisa uani  naa anotanana ushauri na ababaye uhusiani naa maisha yo umasikini.''
        So, that this narrative means that ''One day a father and his rich family took his young son on a trip to the country with the purpose of showing the poor people.They spent day and night in the farm of a very poor family. After looking them they started to return back at home then the young son got some knowledge and he got advise about the life of poor people.''
           Hence this narrative show how people get education about various things for example that young son get knowledge concerning with poor people who lives in difficult life. So through functionist theory in this narrative educate people in form of helping poor people.
      Proverbs; refers to the sayings in more or less fixed form marked by shortness, sense as well as salt and distinguished by the popular acceptance of true expressed in it. Also most of proverbs have their origin in oral tradition, whereby through proverbs people get education by warning in various important of their life. Examples of proverbs in my native language and translated them into English as follows;
         "Asotanana uwiha cho asulupale,anomwora mweto"
This means that “He who does not listen to the elders comes to grief or breaks a leg" this proverb make emphasis to the people in the society who doesn't listen the advise of their elders or parents. So it educate and warn people to listen the good advice given by other people.
         "Iakili ni imali"
This means “Knowledge is wealth”. So if you acquire higher studies or you have learnt a profession, you will be able to maintain yourself. Also this proverb educates people in the society about the use of our knowledge in changing the society or our community.
      "Iahadi ni iideni"
This proverb means that "A promise is Dept or binding". In this proverb emphasis that a trustworthy person keeps his word where by the people should be trust to each other so as to strength the cooperation between society and to help each other.
      Riddles; refers to the statements, questions or phrases which having a double or vailed meaning put forth as a puzzle to be solved (Wikipedia).The riddles involves challenger and respondents due to the need of interpretation with it is solution which providing knowledge. So the riddles based on challenging the clever hence it lead to the improvement of thinking ability of the people. The following are the examples of riddles from my native language and translated them into English languages which are;
       "Itendawili: isiani hari ni muru imoka, mweto mmoka na myeto michese?"
              "Ijibu: ikori"
This means that "Riddle:What has one head, one foot and four legs?".
                           "Answer: A bed" This Riddle show people how can use knowledge and skills to answer various questions hence this is always made for entertain people in the society.
Another Riddle is "Itendawili:isiani hari ni myeto nanso kinorwa uweta".
                                 "Ijibu:Imeza".
This means that "Riddle: what has legs but doesn't walk?"
                        "Answer:A table". This also show how people uses this kind of Riddle in order to create a good organization of various activities within the society because it make Cooperation among themselves.
     Another Riddle is "Itendawili:Isiani yo tuchia ibaada yo chisa wa mtu".
          "Ijibu:Malove yawe".
This means that "Riddle: what can you keep after giving to someone".
                            "Answer: Your word". This also emphasis on challenging people and to entertain them because all these riddles above makes people together in the society or community.
      Songs; refers to the short piece of music, usually with words which can be sung with the playing of some musical instruments. Where by songs combines with Melody and vocals although some composers have written some instrumental pieces or musical works without words that is mimic the quality of a singing voice. So through functionist theory put emphasis on educating and making people together because of songs in particular community or society. Example of song in my native community which uses makua language and translated them into English language which include;
    "Uyarana, uyarana urera,
     Uyarana, uyarana urera,
     Ninowira, ninowira uhichuela,
     Ninowira, ninowira uhichuela."
This song means that "Relatives to live together is good but we don't know how to live together or to cooperate". Where by this song can be used when there is ceremony like wedding ceremony or jando and unyago ceremonies so as to emphasis them selves about the importance of cooperation among the them. Hence people cooperate together and doing all activities together and all things going on effectively.
Therefore, through functionist theory of oral literature play a great roles on the whole process of educating people,to entertain society as well as to unite them together in various activities like in ceremonies through songs which uses native language which is makua language.Also the people develop their thinking ability through proverbs as well as riddles in the community.
            


REFERENCES
Abbot, H (2002), The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative Cambridge: Cambridge University                             Press.
Ruth ,F (1970),Oral Literature in Africa, Cambridge: Open book publishers.
Auger, P (2010), The Anthem Dictionary of Literary Terms and Theory: Anthem Press.
Paul, K (2016), Oral Literature of the Marakwet of Kenya, Nairobi:Kipchumba Press.
Walter, O(1982), Orality and Literacy: The technologizing of the word. New York:Methuen                                  Press.


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