Poets and their positions

In this chapter, the focus is on oral poets and their diverse roles within different cultures and societies. The chapter begins by addressing the broad question of who the poets are, explaining that virtually anyone can assume this role depending on the social context. While oral poets can be found in various forms—from official court poets in medieval kingdoms to unpaid singers among labourers—there are recurring patterns that shape their societal roles. These poets are often bound by social conventions and are influenced by the economic and political institutions of their societies, indicating that the position of oral poets is not entirely random.
This chapter further explores these positions through case studies of five distinct poets from various cultures: Velema Daubitu, a seer and poet in Fiji; Avdo Mededović, a Yugoslav epic minstrel; Johnnie B. Smith, a black American prisoner and song leader; Orpingalik, an Inuit poet and shaman; and Almeda ‘Granny’ Riddle, an American folksinger. These studies illustrate the variety of oral poets, from those who consider themselves mere conduits for ancestral voices to those who use personal experiences and social circumstances to compose their works. While each poet navigates different societal expectations and roles, their artistry is shaped by both their individual creativity and the cultural frameworks in which they operate. This reveals the complex interplay between personal expression and the collective, traditional structures that support oral poetry.