In Practice
The Work of the Heart from the Mind to the Hand.
The link below shares the global love and labor of sustaining culture and traditions through storytelling.
Sound Essence Project
The Sound Essence Project Core Area of Cultural Sustainability focuses on the following key components:
Traditional Art, Storytelling, Feature and Documentary Film, and Cultural Pilgrimages. There model began in Mongolia. Their microfinance project brought traditional purses to America, with the funds being returned to the women artisans and their contribution produced, A Land Without Fences: The Mongolian Storytellers Project.
Opalanga Pugh - An Exemplary Life of a Jalimuso
The two videos below tell a story of the life's purpose of a African-American jalimouso (female storyteller). Definitions of the art form are articulated, and the heartfelt interviews exalt the role of the community storyteller. Through Opalanga's lifestyle you witness the committed role of the storyteller to individuals, families, communities, rituals and healing. The expose clarifies Opalanga's soul work for the celebrations of birth to healing at Columbine. It was this wordwomen, sister of the Yew, who announced to contemporary storytellers, that "We Are The Ones We Have been Waiting For." Opalanga Pugh is the spirit of jaliya. We honor our ancestor, who made transition on June 5, 2010. Our loved one is now in the Heaven's Affiliate of the National Association of Black Storytellers.
Video- Part I
Video Part II
Tell A Story - Build A Nation
The link below leads to an organization that promotes a national movement for collecting our stories.
StoryCorps
The mission of StoryCorps is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. Through their work, the organization reminds us of our shared humanity. By collecting stories, they strengthen and build the connections between people, teach the value of listening, and weave into the fabric of our culture the understanding that every life matters. At the same time, their initiative creates an invaluable archive of American voices and wisdom for future generations. Storycorps has conducted over 30,000 story interviews and will be in the Trenton,NJ area from September 9th to October 3rd at the New Jersey State Museum.
The link below is the website address to the Annual African-American Storytellers' Retreat.
The African American Arts Institute
The AAAI is the brainchild of Baba Jamal Koram. Baba Jamal is a leader in the village of those who practice the African Oral Tradition. He has developed models for teaching and training storytellers, and holds an annual African-American Storyteller's Retreat in May. A primary objective of the Institute is to develop a permanent site for intercultural instruction classes and conferences to increase the awareness of the African Oral Tradition.
The link below shares a news posting on melding a ancient custom with storytelling.
Creating a Family Yoga and Storytelling Practice
Experience the story of another two year old in the midst of learning a tradition. Sydney Soles writes an article in Teach Street demonstrating the fusion of an ancient rite with a storytelling ritual. He shares the importance of engaging in the ceremonial and learning activities, and describes benefits for the family.Read More...
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