Explain how oral literature is reflected in Death and the King's Horseman.

Oral tradition is reflected in the text of Death and the King's Horseman through the Yoruba religion. The Yoruba religion is prevalent in Western Nigeria, and its tales were passed from town to town by storytellers. Over time, the stories varied, and the religion incorporated Chistianity and Islam (an omnipotent God), and paganism (lower gods). The Yoruba also believe in reincarnation. Over the course of the novel, we are apprised of the ways in which colonialism interfered with and changed the Yoruba people and their culture.