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African folktale, just as in every culture, has been passed on from generation to generation. What sets African literature apart is the manner in which it has transmits its legends. With the majority of the people possibly illiterate, African folklore and mythological epics have been passed down orally. The issue with this method is the loss and alteration of information. In a communication course that I took several semesters ago, we had an activity where we had to whisper in each other’s ear a message from the professor and see if the message was the same by the time it got to the end of the class. It was very astonishing and interesting to see how much the information had changed, and this obviously occurred in a matter of minutes. So, I can’t imagine if more time, such as years, and generations had elapsed. 
This oral transcription, however, can have some benefits. As generations progress, so does the culture, therefore each generation has the opportunity to add just a tad bit of change to get it to relate more to its generation. Most of the Africans epics that I have read have a moral message to teach its readers. For instance, the folk story Tortoise with the Pretty Daughter, teaches that:
“Always have pretty daughters, as no matter how poor they may be, there is always the chance that the king’s son may fall in love with them, and they thus become members of the royal house and obtain much wealth (549).” 
This to me and perhaps to you as well, sounds absurd. However, in certain African cultures this is definitely relatable. The lesson encourages them to have faith, and not feel that they have to kill their kid because of fear of the unknown. 
Mwindo, a mythological epic, have a similar message. In the story the king wives were told that if they gave birth to a male that it would be killed. When one of the seven wives gave birth to a male, the king did everything in his power to kill him, but to no avail. His father (the king), embarrassed of his failed efforts relinquished and gave his throne to the son, Mwindo. The new king decided that no kid no matter their sex or stature can be killed. This epic, although a myth, shows the since of hope in the people of Africa for a more conscious culture. 
My parents have several stories that they tell my siblings and I, which is now told by me to my kids. All though, not told in the exact words that it was told to me …the message and lessons are getting across. This is the point of passing down stories, to encourage, to teach morals, and to pass down traditions of ones cultures. With the myths and folklores now in hard copy, this gives individuals outside the African circle the opportunity to get a glimpse of the message they are attempting to communicate.