African American LiteratureLiterature is the world's way of recording their ideas and perceptions about the human experience. Africa did not start by writing its history, it used other forms of literature to preserve its culture and history. They engaged in oral traditions by passing on their knowledge of Africa's past. Africa has used myths, fables, proverbs and riddles as ways of teaching and remembering the historical events of its culture. African mythology plays a big role in transmitting the values ​​and beliefs of African culture. African myths “include supernatural beings that influence human life” (Mythencyclopedia) and generally determine people's daily lives. Myths were a direct means of teaching younger generations about higher beliefs and religion; in most cases they will include the supreme god whom the tribes will not worship directly but through other gods of lesser status. Supreme gods and goddesses are also called deities, who are accompanied by spirits who are "less large, less powerful, and less human-like than the gods, who often have weaknesses and emotions" (Mythencyclopedia). Another characteristic found in a myth would be to ask fundamental questions like who created the world. Who created man? Why must man die? This type of myth speaks of a world before the current one, it allows us to teach generations how the world took its shape and acquired its customs. African myths were an essential part of African literary history and an important role in preserving culture. Written literature was not familiar to most of Africa until the late 16th century, after visits by missionaries and explorers, but in its place were verbal fables and tales. These African tales “serve to...... middle of paper ......es “African Mythology”. . www.Mythencyclopedia.com, nd Web. . .Gaffney, Floyd. “Absent day.” Oxford Companion to African American Literature: n. page. Print.Kumar, V. "Oral tradition Africa Oral tradition of Africa History of Africa History." . www.lifepaths360.com, July 7, 2008. Web. . .Oluyi, Isaac. “How to avoid mistakes in life by learning from other people’s stories.” . www.talkafrique.com, March 3, 2001. Web. . .Thresholds, David. PROVERBS, SONGS, MYTHS AND LEGENDS IN AFRICAN ORAL SOCIETY. : , . Print. Turner-Ward, David. Day of absence. New York: Dramatists Play Service, Inc., 1965. Print.