Orature corresponds in the sphere of the spoken (oral) word to literature as literature operates in the domain of the written word. It thus forms a generally more fundamental component of culture, but operates in many ways as one might expect literature to do. Pre-literate societies, by definition, have no written literature, but may possess a rich and varied orature.

Orature covers oral traditions, folk epics, folklore and folksong.

See also

• Oral history