This two day workshop will help participants learn about the oral tradition of stories, how stories transmit self identity and cultural affiliation and how storytelling can assist substance abuse prevention. The primary aim is to enhance participants' awareness of the fact that stories do not contain just "simple" concepts, but teach complex concepts that are understood at a deeper level as they are recalled over time. In addition, knowledge of the advantages of oral traditions in teaching respect and reflectiveness are conveyed.
This workshop uses American Indian traditions as a storytelling model, even though many other cultures have storytelling traditions. The intent is to assists participants in learning techniques to incorporate storytelling in local substance abuse prevention projects and help them find stories from their own cultural background to incorporate into their prevention programs.
(Paraphrased from Yoruba (African) Children's Tales by Amoke Omoleye, Chicago, Ill. 1990)
For a long time the women of the village had been unable to have children. The women were very sad and longed to have children. The village had a meeting and decided to consult the great mother of the village for help.
The women went to talk to her. They went to her house but they could not find her. She was sitting by the river behind her house. When she saw them coming she said, "What's the matter?" They told her their problem and asked if she could help them.
The wise woman said that she would pray for them, and that if their hearts were free of guilt, hatred and deceit then they would have children. She also told them that they must never forget what she had done for them. The women assured her that they would never forget her.
Soon the women had children, and many of the women had twins. This continued for five years. Everyone in the village was happy, but they ignored the wise woman. No one in the village had visited her or helped to take care of her.
Soon there was drought, and all the children fell ill with a fever. The people of the village knew that a special herb was needed to heal them and that only the wise woman knew how to prepare it.
The women went to the find the wise woman, but she was hiding from them. They searched for five days and finally found her. They asked for her help. She told them to get her wild lettuce. Then she told them to get cornstarch porridge. Then she told them to bring her kola nuts. She mixed all these together and made a poultice which cooled the children's fever.
The people of the village rejoiced with dancing and singing. They realized that it was their job to take care of their elders. The women of the village cleaned for the great mother and prepared her food. The men helped repair her house. They never forgot to show her respect. The people of the village learned that children were a great blessing and that they needed to take the responsibility of caring for the children seriously.
Teach people to listen without interrupting until the storyteller is done.
Emphasize the importance of being quiet or being alone after a story and letting the meaning of the story move into their mind.
Validate that each person's individual response to a story is appropriate. This means that not all people need to have the same reaction to the story. Each person may have a unique response and that is as important as any one else's response.
Don't feel that you have to explain the meaning of stories, but possibly use art as a way to have people process the stories.
