oralandpoetic

Oralandpoetic is a digital initiative that archives and promotes oral traditions and contemporary poetic performances. The project collects audio recordings, transcripts, and multimedia presentations of spoken word artists, storytellers, and oral historians from diverse cultural backgrounds. Its primary aim is to preserve these transient art forms for research and educational purposes while providing a platform for artists to reach a global audience.

The initiative was launched in 2015 by a consortium of universities, cultural ministries, and independent archivists. Since its inception, Oralandpoetic has expanded its catalog to include over 2,000 recordings spanning six continents. Contributors submit material via an open submission portal, and items undergo a quality control process that verifies authenticity, provides contextual metadata, and ensures compliance with copyright regulations. The archive is accessible through a user-friendly interface that supports searching by genre, language, performer, and date.

Key projects have included the South Asian Oral Poetry Series, a collaboration with the National Library of India, and a partnership with the Folklore Society to digitize African griot traditions. In 2020, the initiative received a grant from the International Alliance of Cultural Heritage to enhance its preservation infrastructure and develop mobile applications for offline listening.

The platform has been cited in academic studies on digital heritage and is praised for its commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. Its collections serve as a resource for scholars, educators, and the general public interested in the rich tapestry of oral and poetic expression across societies.