Remembrance:
Community Storytelling Projects and the Roles They Play
A look at community storytelling projects around the world. Includes special looks at the practices of various indigenous communities and the work that researchers have done to assist them with preservation of their stories and storytelling methods. Also examines the importance of community storytelling in current events in order to ensure community member experiences are known and shared instead of the skewed “official” versions of those events told by governments and spread by news outlets, as well as filling in gaping silences.
A copy can be downloaded here.
Storytelling has played a huge role in human history – it has been how we remember events and people, teach lessons to our young, understand the unknown, and entertain. How communities tell stories has changed throughout the years, as humanity grew and developed technology. Now, more than ever, it is important to preserve community stories. Today, various communities are working to preserve their stories, and some archives are assisting in those missions.
Community storytelling has adapted over the years. Some communities continue to use storytelling in ways similar to their traditions – to teach their youth lessons and to keep their heritage alive – perhaps incorporating current technologies in ways that will involve the youth more.