Digitization of African Verbal arts

The twenty-first century is characterized by steady advancement in technology, ever increasing need for migration and evolution from the rural and archaic mode of operation to a more digitalized and urban modes. These evolutions in technology, migration and jettisoning of the old ways to embrace the modern ways have led to cultural displacement, loss of the authentic rustic flavours, and alteration of identity. In as much as technological advancement and, perhaps migrations, have led to the loss of the above stated, technology, specially, has aided the recovering, preservation and dissemination of the said African oral traditions to a wider audience and those who, ordinarily, might not have had access to them. Consequently, scholars of African oral traditions have embraced this development in technology and produced works where the cultural and linguistic interactions of the indigenous people are exhibited, thereby promoting intercultural relationships and preserving cultures. This study aims to examine the impact of digitization on African oral traditions, investigation how technological advancements simultaneously displace and preserve cultural heritage. The hybridity approach in use in this study finds out that digital platforms blend traditional and modern forms, creating new elements and challenging essentialized notions of African culture. The study concludes that digitization, while preserving the cultural heritage also threatens it. It was recommended that there should be a critical evaluation of technological impacts on cultural identity and authenticity as well as a community-driven digitization initiatives to ensure cultural ownership and authenticity.