Storytelling

1
Storytelling

• Stories could last several days and included
  singing, dancing and feasting.

2
Our Stories

• What is the importance of oral traditions and
  storytelling?
• How do oral works contrast to the written word? 
• Define creation stories and legends.
• What do they have in common? What can they be
  considered equivalent to?
•  What is a tale? What do they describe? 
• Describe storytelling. Why are they considered
  both entertainment and sources of information?
•  Define Oral history.
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3
Creation Stories accounts of how things came to
be. They often involve divine beings. Legends
traditional stories from the past about human
beings and their interactions with divine
beings. Tales- imaginatively treated stories
about usually fictitious people or animals that
behave like people.
4
Oral Tradition the first way people had of
communicating knowledge and beliefs from one
generation to the next. Oral History the
telling of what took place on the past. It
includes descriptions of people and places,
family trees and stories of far away places. It
is often the only way of knowing about certain
events from the past.
5

• In small groups identify what you believe to be
  the key elements of oral tradition
• Why has this system worked for so long?

6

• Key elements of oral tradition
• Provides cultural continuity
• Keeps the family and community strong
• Can relate to real life situations
• Can teach skill cooking, building a house
• Source of cultural identity and personal pride

7

• Stories were changed to
• be more relevant to each generation,
• capture the interest of children,
• become a tradition,
• become a source of entertainment,
• to remember the history there was no other way
  to record it.

8

Assignment What kinds of stories do people tell
in your house? What is the oldest story you
know? Is it written down? Was it always written
down? Talk to a parent, sibling, or other
relative. Ask them to tell you a story about YOU
when you were little. Write the story (about
half a page) and your reaction to it.
9
Legend Assignment

• Read several Maliseet and Mikmaq legends and
  myths. Then read a Greek, Roman, Celtic or
  Norse legend or myth.
• Choose one myth or legend from Maliseet or
  Mikmaq and one from Greek, Roman, Celtic or
  Norse myths or legends. How do the gods and
  other spirits compare with those in the Maliseet
  and Mikmaq legends and myths? What are some
  similarities and differences? What lesson is
  being taught?
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10

• Do one of the following

1. Illustrate your favourite legend or myth.

• OR
• 2. Write your own legend or myth.
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