STORYTELLING HERITAGE:
FOLKTALES

Folktales come from a strong storytelling tradition. Storytelling should be an important part of family and community life. It is less so today. In the past, folktales were passed down through parents or through visits to the homes of community storytellers who shared stories about individual family lineages and community development.

Storytelling can assist identity formation and relationship-building especially through heritage folktales. As children hear positive or cautionary stories about family members, their experiences and exploits, they are listening to folktales. Often, these stories reinforce self-belief in children and give them a sense of destiny through family history.

Storytelling provides children with an understanding of family thinking, beliefs and practices. This tradition is so central to family bonding that in some communities, the role of storyteller is formally assigned and passed down from generation to generation. Today, grandparents typically play this role, although informally.