Explore storytelling as an art form that has existed for centuries, from the first spoken and sung stories to those that are drawn and performed today.

This book serves as an indispensable resource for students and scholars interested in storytelling and in multicultural approaches to the arts. By taking an evolutionary approach, it begins with a discussion of origin stories and continues through history to stories of the 21st century. The text not only engages the stories themselves, it also explains how individuals from all disciplines - from doctors and lawyers to priests and journalists - use stories to focus their readers' and listeners' attention and influence them.

Table of Contents:

Preface
Introduction: Why Is Storytelling Important?

Part I: Thematic Essays
History of Storytelling around the World (or the Origin and Early History of Storytelling)
Common Storytelling Elements across Cultures
Storytelling Media: Oral, Art, and Music
Lessons Stories Teach Us
The Birth and Development of 21st-Century Stories

Part II: Storytelling across Cultural Groups
Africa
Ashanti
Azande
Baganda
Bemba
Berber
Bulu
Dahomeans
Fjort
Hadjerai
Hausa
Ju/'Hoansi Bushmen
Khoikhoi/Hottentot
Limba
Maasai
Malagasy
Nandi
Swahili
Yoruba
Zulu

South America
A?angu Kichwa People of the Rio Napo
Chachi (also the Cayapa)
Inca Empire
Muisca (Chibcha)
Runa (Canelos Quichua)

North America
Anishinaabe People, Ojibwe, Chippewa, and Saulteaux
Cheyenne Nations, or Tsétsehést?hese
Comanche Nation (Numunu)
Delaware Nation (Lenape, Lenni-Lenape, Munsee)
Hopi
Navajo (Diné)
Pima, Akimel O'odham
Tohono O'Odham Nation

Asia and Oceania
Ainu
Andamanese, The Great
Buryats
Chukchee
Enga
Iban
Ifugao
Maori
Nhunggabarras
Somaip
Wheelman

Europe
Basque
Roma/Gypsies, Balkan
Saami
Middle East
Bedouins, Negev
Kurds
Mandaeans

Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Theatre

Literature in general, reference works

History in general, methods

Further readings in History

Anthologies

Myths and legends

Traditions

Theatre (charity campaign)

Literature in general, reference works (charity campaign)

History in general, methods (charity campaign)

Further readings in History (charity campaign)

Anthologies (charity campaign)

Myths and legends (charity campaign)

Traditions (charity campaign)

Storytelling around the World

Explore storytelling as an art form that has existed for centuries, from the first spoken and sung stories to those that are drawn and performed today.