Sandawe oral literature

The Sandawe of central Tanzania have a simpler material culture than their neighbours, but oral art is important and forms an indispensable part of their lives. They are a nation of singers rather than of poets; all poetry is minor verse but it is found everywhere: in story-telling , in dance, and in ritual. The study of oral literature provides historical detail, knowledge of manners and customs, religion, social values in the present and in the past; it helps to correct a possibly distorted image of the tribe, to remove prejudice, to give insight into different sets of values, and thereby to create respect and understanding.