![]() Prominent in the Irish oral tradition are tales of kings and heroes. They told the old myths as well as local news and happenings. They would travel from village to village, reciting ancient lore and tales of wisdom. Irish Storytelling The seanchaí were the traditional Irish keepers of story. An important part of the ceremony is “four questions” asked by the youngest children present, which are the impetus for telling the story. During a meal, the story of the Exodus is told, an oral tradition passed down through generations to educate the young. The Passover celebration includes a storytelling ritual known as the seder, or order. The Jewish People and the Passover Seder On Passover, families of Jewish faith celebrate the exodus of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. ![]() Both men and women can take up the profession: women are called griottes. There are also griot schools, where more formal training can be had. The griots are traditionally hereditary, a profession or office passed from one generation to the next. Some of the most famous stories from western Africa are those of Anansi, the trickster spider. They perform the functions of storyteller, genealogist, historian, ambassador, and more. Long part of western African culture are the griots: storytellers, troubadours, and counsellors to kings. As in other cultures, the role of the storyteller is to entertain and educate. In many parts of Africa, after dinner, the village congregates around a central fire to listen to the storyteller. Western African Storytelling The peoples of sub-Saharan Africa have strong storytelling traditions. Hawaiians valued the stories because they were not only entertaining, but they also taught the next generation about behavior, values, and traditions. Hawaiian storytelling was not limited to words alone-it included talking but also encompassed mele (song), oli (chant), and hula (dance). Traditionally, Native Hawaiian storytellers, who knew history and genealogy, were honored members of society. Other stories tell of navigation across the seas. Native Hawaiian stories included the tale of the first Hawaiian, who was born from a taro root. Thus, story is the “succession of language,” since all stories were oral. It comes from two words, mo’o, meaning succession, and olelo, meaning language or speaking. Native Hawaiian Storytelling The Native Hawaiian word for story is “moʻolelo,” but it can also mean history, legend, tradition, and the like. Many of the Choctaw traditional tales employ animal characters to teach such lessons in a humorous vein. In addition, the oral tradition includes history as well as life lessons or moral teachings. For example, the Choctaw oral tradition includes two creation stories: One relates to migration from the west and another to creation from a mound. Their stories were intended to preserve the tribe’s history and educate the young. Choctaw Storytelling Like all Native American tribes, the Choctaw have an oral storytelling tradition going back generations. Here are some examples of storytelling as a method of passing down cultural traditions. It can encompass myths, legends, fables, religion, prayers, proverbs, and instructions. Truth is less important than providing cultural cohesion. ![]() Not all of these stories are historically accurate or even true. The oral tradition can take many forms, including epic poems, chants, rhymes, songs, and more. Oral storytelling is telling a story through voice and gestures. ![]() It exists (and existed) to entertain, to inform, and to promulgate cultural traditions and values. It occurs in every culture and from every age. Before there was writing, there was storytelling. ![]() Storytelling is universal and is as ancient as humankind. ![]()
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