On this page, you will learn exactly what was the purpose of early poetry. By early poetry, we are referring to the poems that were created by ancient people many years ago, even before writing was invented. These were often passed down through word of mouth and were part of the everyday life of communities, often used in songs, rituals, and storytelling.
To give you a quick overview, here is how poetry’s purposes evolved over time from the earliest traditional use to modern-day creative expression:
- Before 3000 BCE, early poetry was used to tell stories and share history in communities that had no writing systems. It was spoken or sung as part of daily life and rituals.
- Between 3000 BCE and 500 CE, poetry became a way to teach moral lessons and religious beliefs, especially in ancient civilisations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
- From 500 CE to the 1800s, poetry was also used to express emotions like love, sorrow, and joy. Poets began focusing more on personal feelings and creative language.
- From the 1900s to today, poetry is seen as a creative art form for personal and public expression. It includes many styles, themes, and languages, and is shared through books, music, and digital platforms.
What was the Purpose of the Earliest Poetry?
The main purpose of the earliest poetry was to remember important information and bring people together. This can be explained through these four factors:
The main purpose of early poetry can be broken down into these 4 key points:
1. Storytelling and History
Before writing was invented, people could not keep records in books or on paper. So they used poetry to tell stories out loud, often in the form of songs or spoken word. These poems helped people remember what happened in the past. They told stories about family ancestors, wars, leaders, heroes, and the creation of the world.
Example:
In ancient Africa, griots (oral poets) told the story of the great Mali Empire through praise poems. These poems were passed from one generation to the next, helping people remember important historical events.
Another example is “The Epic of Gilgamesh”, a long poem from ancient Mesopotamia that tells the story of a king and his adventures. It was one of the earliest written poems, but it had been told orally long before it was written down.
2. Religious and Spiritual Use
Early poetry was often linked to religion and spirituality. People believed that chanting or singing certain words could bring blessings, protect the community, or call on the gods. These poems were used during rituals, funerals, or celebrations like harvests.
Example:
In ancient Egypt, poems were written to honour gods like Ra (the sun god) or Osiris (god of the afterlife). These poems were sometimes written on tombs to help the dead reach the afterlife.
In many African cultures, people still use praise poems and chants to honour ancestors or spiritual leaders during traditional ceremonies.
3. Teaching and Wisdom
Poetry was a tool for teaching. Because poems are easy to memorise, they were used to teach children life lessons, good behaviour, and community rules. These types of poems were often short, simple, and had clear messages.
Example:
In Southern Africa, elders used proverbs and poetic sayings to teach values like respect, patience, and honesty.
In ancient Greece, the poet Hesiod wrote “Works and Days,” a poem full of advice about farming and living a good life. It helped teach people how to work hard and respect the gods.
4. Entertainment and Celebration
Poetry was not always serious. It was also used for fun, laughter, and joy. People enjoyed poems during festivals, weddings, dances, and musical performances. These poems often had rhythm and rhyme to make them easier to dance or sing along to.
Example:
Zulu communities in South Africa used izibongo (praise poems) to celebrate kings, warriors, and even everyday people. These poems were performed with music and movement.
In ancient Ireland, poets known as bards would perform funny or exciting poems at royal courts to entertain kings and their guests.
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