How Folktales Preserve History

World Folktales Week is observed in March. This is a great opportunity for students to discover how ancient and sometimes even the modern history of people and events have been preserved and passed on from generation to generation, including the role of oral literature, in other cultures and their own.

Literature and history are still transmitted orally in many parts of the underdeveloped world. For example, in West African societies, the griot has the respected function of maintaining and reciting histories and genealogies.

Using the CultureGrams World Edition, ask students to read "The Arts" sections of the Senegal and Gambia reports to learn about the role of the griot.

Then have them compare this oral tradition to that of other countries by assigning them "The Arts" sections of Azerbaijan, the Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Somalia, and Yemen.

Lead a class discussion about the similarities and differences between the cultures. Use essential questions, for example: How is the oral tradition similar? Are there notable differences? Is there an oral tradition in our own culture?

Have the students individually read a folktale to themselves, silently. Then, read the folktale aloud to the students. Afterwards, discuss how listening to a story provides a different experience than reading it. Have the students identify what those differences are.

For homework, assign the students to find pieces of folklore from their own families or culture. Or, have them find folklore from other sources (e.g., other families, books at the library on other countries, etc.). Ask them to bring to class examples of the folklore they learned about and talk about them or recite portions, if possible.

As an extension activity, ask the students to create their own folktale. Or, have them take an existing folktale and provide an alternative ending. Students could share folktales in class.