"THE STORYTELLER IS ONE WHOSE SPIRIT IS INDISPENSABLE TO THE PEOPLE"
In his traditional world the Native American lives in the presence of stories. The storyteller is one whose spirit is indispensable to the people. He is a magician, artist, and creator. And above all, he is a Holy Man. His is a sacred Business.
-N.Scott Momaday, / Kiowa
TYPES OF STORIES
Symbolic—refer to larger bodies of oral literature.
Lessons—describe how and why things are the way they are.
Instructions from spirit mentors—explain how to conduct ceremonies.
Descriptions of natural processes—water cycles, inter-species relationships, life cycles of plants, earth movements and soil types.
Survival accounts—hunting, gathering, and farming stories talk about how to collect, prepare, and eat foods.
Oral maps for travel—describe historic and on-going migrations of tribe for subsistence and holy journeys.
Magical tales of transformation—articulate the mystery and complexity of being human.
Adventures in love, romance and marriage.
"I have been called many things, but I think If I had to have a label for myself it would be "Storyteller." For nothing gives me greater fulfillment." -Thunder
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