I'm going to read the whole thread at some point, cause it seems very interesting. But to the original question of when The Oral Tradition began.

As I see it the oral tradition began when humans first started making intentional systematic vocal sounds. I am sure that once there was a language of some sort, those early human types were already telling stories. And stories are the original.

Then, of course, there came instruments. And then songs. (And then, the three deadly "B"s--bodhrans, banjos, and baggypipes.) And soon thereafter the whole copyright shitstorm began in earnest. (BBB copyrights were not a problem, however. Because, well, it's obvious why.)

The early copyright battles dwarf what we have today. I somehow do not think that that was what was exactly being asked. But there you have it.


Saul