Oral storytelling
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Oral storytelling is an ancient and intimate tradition between the storyteller and their audience. The storyteller and the listeners are physically close, often seated together in a circular fashion.[1] The intimacy and connection is deepened by the flexibility of oral storytelling which allows the tale to be molded according to the needs of the audience and the location or environment of the telling. Listeners also experience the urgency of a creative process taking place in their presence and they experience the empowerment of being a part of that creative process. Storytelling creates a personal bond with the teller and the audience.
The flexibility of oral storytelling extends to the teller as well. Each teller will incorporate their personality and may choose to add characters into the story. As a result, there will be numerous variations of a single story.
Storytelling may be performed in many forms: in prose, in poetic form, as a song, accompanied with dance or some kind of theatrical performance, etc.
Human need
It is likely that oral storytelling has been around as long as human
Telling stories is a nurturing act for the listener, who is connected to the storyteller through the story, as well as for the storyteller, who is connected to the listeners through the story.
History
Early storytelling probably originated in simple chants. [citation needed]. People sang chants as they worked at grinding corn or sharpening tools. Our early ancestors created myths to explain natural occurrences. They assigned superhuman qualities to ordinary people, thus originating the hero tale.
Early storytelling combined stories, poetry, music, and dance. Those who excelled at storytelling became entertainers, educators, cultural advisors, and historians for the community. Through storytellers, the history of a culture is handed down from generation to generation.
The importance of stories and storytellers throughout human history can be seen in the respect afforded to professional storytellers.
The 9th-century fictional storyteller Scheherazade of One Thousand and One Nights, who saves herself from execution by telling tales, is one example illustrating the value placed on storytelling in days of old. Centuries before Scheherazade, the power of storytelling was reflected by Vyasa at the beginning of the Indian epic Mahabharata. Vyasa says, "If you listen carefully, at the end, you'll be someone else."
In the
Journeying from land to land, storytellers would learn various regions' stories while also gathering news to bring back with them. Through exchanging stories with other storytellers, stories changed, making it difficult to trace the origins of many stories.
In the 1800s, Jakob and Wilhelm
In the 1900s, the importance of oral storytelling was recognized by storytellers such as
Professional storytellers in various cultures
- Ashik/ashough, in Turkic cultures
- Bard
- Pingshu, Chinese culture
- Dastangoi, India
- Qissagoi, Pakistan and India
- Fili & Seanchaí, Ireland
- Goliard
- Griot, West Africa
- Gusans, of Parthia and Armenia of old times
- Kobzar, Ukraine
- Maggid(Hebrew) Jewish
- Minstrel
- Dengbêj, Kurdish epic singer
- Ozan , term predating âşık ("ashik") in Turkic cultures
- Üligershin, Mongols, Buryats
- Hakawati, Arab culture
Oral storytelling festivals
In the 20th century, oral storytelling has undergone a revival of interest and focus. Including the establishment of a number of storytelling festivals beginning with the
Regional storytelling festivals bring tellers of a certain state or region together for entertaining, telling and education in the art.
Films
- How People Got Fire - Animated film about oral storytelling in Native culture
References
- ^ Hodge, F.S., Pasqua, A., Marquez, C.A., & Geishirt-Cantrell, B. (2002). Utilizing traditional storytelling to promote wellness in American Indian communities.
- ^ Silko, L. Storyteller. New York, New York: Seaver Books Pub., 1981
- ^ Wolf, Eric Interview with Connie Regan-Blake on the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf Show A history of the National Storytelling Festival. 2008
- Jane Yolen; Favorite Folktales From Around the World.
- Stone, Packer & Hoopes (1983); The Short Story-An Introduction
- Carlson, Ann D. Storytelling. World Book Advanced. 2009