there was once a man by the name of Okaloosa who had five sons and one on
Okaloosa who had five sons and one on
Okaloosa who had five sons and one on the way
the way
the way now Okaloosa was known as a great and
now Okaloosa was known as a great and
now Okaloosa was known as a great and powerful hunter at times he would pick
powerful hunter at times he would pick
powerful hunter at times he would pick up his hunting weapons and set off down
up his hunting weapons and set off down
up his hunting weapons and set off down the path to hunt at other times as his
the path to hunt at other times as his
the path to hunt at other times as his sons grew older he would teach them the
sons grew older he would teach them the
sons grew older he would teach them the art and the skill of hunting or one day
art and the skill of hunting or one day
art and the skill of hunting or one day a Volusia said goodbye to his wife to
a Volusia said goodbye to his wife to
a Volusia said goodbye to his wife to his sons he picked up his hunting
his sons he picked up his hunting
his sons he picked up his hunting weapons and set off down the path to
weapons and set off down the path to
weapons and set off down the path to hunt well the son crossed the sky and it
hunt well the son crossed the sky and it
hunt well the son crossed the sky and it grew dark and Okaloosa did not come back
grew dark and Okaloosa did not come back
grew dark and Okaloosa did not come back and the brothers turned to one another
and the brothers turned to one another
and the brothers turned to one another and said our father has not returned or
and said our father has not returned or
and said our father has not returned or they lay down to sleep that night awoke
they lay down to sleep that night awoke
they lay down to sleep that night awoke the next morning the Sun began its
the next morning the Sun began its
the next morning the Sun began its journey across the sky and still
journey across the sky and still
journey across the sky and still Bogalusa had not come back and again the
Bogalusa had not come back and again the
Bogalusa had not come back and again the brothers turned to one another and said
brothers turned to one another and said
brothers turned to one another and said our Father has not returned or days went
our Father has not returned or days went
our Father has not returned or days went by weeks passed and Okaloosa did not
by weeks passed and Okaloosa did not
by weeks passed and Okaloosa did not come back but the number of times the
come back but the number of times the
come back but the number of times the brothers turned to one another and sin
brothers turned to one another and sin
brothers turned to one another and sin our Father has not returned grew less
our Father has not returned grew less
our Father has not returned grew less and less until the day came when no one
and less until the day came when no one
and less until the day came when no one spoke the name of a guru sir well
spoke the name of a guru sir well
spoke the name of a guru sir well several months passed it was time for
several months passed it was time for
several months passed it was time for that baby to be born and the child
that baby to be born and the child
that baby to be born and the child appeared alert from birth seemed to
appeared alert from birth seemed to
appeared alert from birth seemed to appear right into his mother’s eyes and
appear right into his mother’s eyes and
appear right into his mother’s eyes and ate and grew strong and crawled about
ate and grew strong and crawled about
ate and grew strong and crawled about and pulled himself up and toddled about
and pulled himself up and toddled about
and pulled himself up and toddled about the village and observed others in the
the village and observed others in the
the village and observed others in the village other families girls with their
village other families girls with their
village other families girls with their mothers boys with their fathers and when
mothers boys with their fathers and when
mothers boys with their fathers and when he was able to put together enough words
he was able to put together enough words
he was able to put together enough words he posed a question to his mother at an
he posed a question to his mother at an
he posed a question to his mother at an evening meal where is my father
evening meal where is my father
evening meal where is my father and again the brothers turned to one
and again the brothers turned to one
and again the brothers turned to one another and said yes her father did not
another and said yes her father did not
another and said yes her father did not return let us go and look for him so
return let us go and look for him so
return let us go and look for him so they picked up their hunting weapons and
they picked up their hunting weapons and
they picked up their hunting weapons and set off down the path that Olga Lucia
set off down the path that Olga Lucia
set off down the path that Olga Lucia had taken and they walked for a time
had taken and they walked for a time
had taken and they walked for a time losing the path and finding it and
losing the path and finding it and
losing the path and finding it and losing it and finding it again until
losing it and finding it again until
losing it and finding it again until soon they came upon the rusted hunting
soon they came upon the rusted hunting
soon they came upon the rusted hunting weapons of Okaloosa and not far from
weapons of Okaloosa and not far from
weapons of Okaloosa and not far from those weapons lay what was left of their
those weapons lay what was left of their
those weapons lay what was left of their father it appeared as though he had been
father it appeared as though he had been
father it appeared as though he had been attacked by an
attacked by an
attacked by an and the brothers dropped to their knees
and the brothers dropped to their knees
and the brothers dropped to their knees and begin to wail and to moan and their
and begin to wail and to moan and their
and begin to wail and to moan and their grief was so deep their cries reached
grief was so deep their cries reached
grief was so deep their cries reached the heavens and the elements heard and
the heavens and the elements heard and
the heavens and the elements heard and took pity and converged and imbued each
took pity and converged and imbued each
took pity and converged and imbued each one with the power and the first one
one with the power and the first one
one with the power and the first one stood and said I feel I have a POW to
stood and said I feel I have a POW to
stood and said I feel I have a POW to reconnect our father’s bones and he
reconnect our father’s bones and he
reconnect our father’s bones and he stepped forward and said about that task
stepped forward and said about that task
stepped forward and said about that task ii said i feel i have the power to put
ii said i feel i have the power to put
ii said i feel i have the power to put together the muscle the fiber the sinew
together the muscle the fiber the sinew
together the muscle the fiber the sinew he said about that task the third said i
he said about that task the third said i
he said about that task the third said i feel i have the power to get the blood
feel i have the power to get the blood
feel i have the power to get the blood moving warm through his veins once again
moving warm through his veins once again
moving warm through his veins once again the fourth one said i feel i have the
the fourth one said i feel i have the
the fourth one said i feel i have the power to make his flesh whole and the
power to make his flesh whole and the
power to make his flesh whole and the last ones that i feel I have the power
last ones that i feel I have the power
last ones that i feel I have the power to breathe life into our Father and he
to breathe life into our Father and he
to breathe life into our Father and he breathed into ogre Lucia Oh
breathed into ogre Lucia Oh
breathed into ogre Lucia Oh chest began to rise and fall and they
chest began to rise and fall and they
chest began to rise and fall and they lifted their father and they brought him
lifted their father and they brought him
lifted their father and they brought him back to the village well over loose’
back to the village well over loose’
back to the village well over loose’ stayed in his Hut for nine days and that
stayed in his Hut for nine days and that
stayed in his Hut for nine days and that was the custom if one was said to have
was the custom if one was said to have
was the custom if one was said to have returned from the dead he had shaved his
returned from the dead he had shaved his
returned from the dead he had shaved his head and a feast was held a cow was
head and a feast was held a cow was
head and a feast was held a cow was killed the meat of the cow was cooked
killed the meat of the cow was cooked
killed the meat of the cow was cooked the tail of the cow was given to oval
the tail of the cow was given to oval
the tail of the cow was given to oval oosa as a reminder the ends would
oosa as a reminder the ends would
oosa as a reminder the ends would decorate it with strips of leather and
decorate it with strips of leather and
decorate it with strips of leather and cowrie shells and beads and he walked
cowrie shells and beads and he walked
cowrie shells and beads and he walked about with that tout couch else which
about with that tout couch else which
about with that tout couch else which thinking of what his sons had done for
thinking of what his sons had done for
thinking of what his sons had done for him and decided he wanted to give the
him and decided he wanted to give the
him and decided he wanted to give the cow tail smidge to the child who was
cow tail smidge to the child who was
cow tail smidge to the child who was most responsible for his return so he
most responsible for his return so he
most responsible for his return so he gathered together everyone in the
gathered together everyone in the
gathered together everyone in the village and announced what he was going
village and announced what he was going
village and announced what he was going to do well immediately they began to
to do well immediately they began to
to do well immediately they began to argue about who should get it son said
argue about who should get it son said
argue about who should get it son said ah it should go to the one who put his
ah it should go to the one who put his
ah it should go to the one who put his bones together in the first place as I
bones together in the first place as I
bones together in the first place as I said no the one who put together the
said no the one who put together the
said no the one who put together the muscle and the fiber allowing him
muscle and the fiber allowing him
muscle and the fiber allowing him movement some said it should be the one
movement some said it should be the one
movement some said it should be the one who got the blood coursing warm through
who got the blood coursing warm through
who got the blood coursing warm through his veins once again others said no the
his veins once again others said no the
his veins once again others said no the one who made his flesh whole but still
one who made his flesh whole but still
one who made his flesh whole but still more he said it should go to the one who
more he said it should go to the one who
more he said it should go to the one who breathed life into obelus no one could
breathed life into obelus no one could
breathed life into obelus no one could agree well on the third day Okaloosa
agree well on the third day Okaloosa
agree well on the third day Okaloosa reassemble them all and said today I
reassemble them all and said today I
reassemble them all and said today I have made my decision I will give this
have made my decision I will give this
have made my decision I will give this cow else which
cow else which
cow else which – my youngest child for had he not asked
– my youngest child for had he not asked
– my youngest child for had he not asked the question where is my father I would
the question where is my father I would
the question where is my father I would still be lying cold and stiff in the
still be lying cold and stiff in the
still be lying cold and stiff in the land of the dead and an underscore a
land of the dead and an underscore a
land of the dead and an underscore a long-held belief for the Liberian people
long-held belief for the Liberian people
long-held belief for the Liberian people that one is not truly dead unless he has
that one is not truly dead unless he has
that one is not truly dead unless he has forgotten and not spoken of again I
forgotten and not spoken of again I
forgotten and not spoken of again I believe in the power of words I believe
believe in the power of words I believe
believe in the power of words I believe in the power of story to inform and
in the power of story to inform and
in the power of story to inform and transform I believe in the power of
transform I believe in the power of
transform I believe in the power of story to call us to attention to invite
story to call us to attention to invite
story to call us to attention to invite us to lean in to embrace us to serve as
us to lean in to embrace us to serve as
us to lean in to embrace us to serve as a window a door a bridge but most often
a window a door a bridge but most often
a window a door a bridge but most often a mirror a reflection of our own unique
a mirror a reflection of our own unique
a mirror a reflection of our own unique individual and collective human journey
individual and collective human journey
individual and collective human journey in all of its complexities storytelling
in all of its complexities storytelling
in all of its complexities storytelling is arguably humankind’s oldest art form
is arguably humankind’s oldest art form
is arguably humankind’s oldest art form for thousands of years stories have been
for thousands of years stories have been
for thousands of years stories have been told to entertain but they also served
told to entertain but they also served
told to entertain but they also served as containers that gradually came to
as containers that gradually came to
as containers that gradually came to hold the wisdom of Ages of accumulated
hold the wisdom of Ages of accumulated
hold the wisdom of Ages of accumulated human experience as language evolved so
human experience as language evolved so
human experience as language evolved so in turn did the evolution of the oral
in turn did the evolution of the oral
in turn did the evolution of the oral transmission of experiences ideas
transmission of experiences ideas
transmission of experiences ideas thoughts and beliefs ancient stories
thoughts and beliefs ancient stories
thoughts and beliefs ancient stories reveal mankind’s sense of awe and wonder
reveal mankind’s sense of awe and wonder
reveal mankind’s sense of awe and wonder about the earth about the universe the
about the earth about the universe the
about the earth about the universe the sky and the heavens his strong desire to
sky and the heavens his strong desire to
sky and the heavens his strong desire to make sense of and understand his
make sense of and understand his
make sense of and understand his environment and his place in it
environment and his place in it
environment and his place in it observations of human and animal
observations of human and animal
observations of human and animal interactions and behaviors brought forth
interactions and behaviors brought forth
interactions and behaviors brought forth stories that allow us to observe to
stories that allow us to observe to
stories that allow us to observe to recognize to question to feared laugh
recognize to question to feared laugh
recognize to question to feared laugh act and have empathy for ourselves human
act and have empathy for ourselves human
act and have empathy for ourselves human nature has not changed all that much in
nature has not changed all that much in
nature has not changed all that much in thousands of years extraordinary
thousands of years extraordinary
thousands of years extraordinary individuals long gone from the earth
individuals long gone from the earth
individuals long gone from the earth were brought to life once again just as
were brought to life once again just as
were brought to life once again just as in the story of Okaloosa each time the
in the story of Okaloosa each time the
in the story of Okaloosa each time the stories of their life
stories of their life
stories of their life and their accomplishments was told and
and their accomplishments was told and
and their accomplishments was told and retold and retold I was fortunate to
retold and retold I was fortunate to
retold and retold I was fortunate to grow up in a household with a father
grow up in a household with a father
grow up in a household with a father John Edward Blake senior who had a
John Edward Blake senior who had a
John Edward Blake senior who had a passion for language and for literature
passion for language and for literature
passion for language and for literature and after a long day’s work he would try
and after a long day’s work he would try
and after a long day’s work he would try and find some quiet time away from five
and find some quiet time away from five
and find some quiet time away from five kids and a wife so that he could write
kids and a wife so that he could write
kids and a wife so that he could write have some quiet time the door was shut
have some quiet time the door was shut
have some quiet time the door was shut which meant keep out I would open it and
which meant keep out I would open it and
which meant keep out I would open it and I would go in just to sit on the floor
I would go in just to sit on the floor
I would go in just to sit on the floor and be in his presence I am the ultimate
and be in his presence I am the ultimate
and be in his presence I am the ultimate daddy’s girl well over time he began
daddy’s girl well over time he began
daddy’s girl well over time he began reading out loud to me the works of
reading out loud to me the works of
reading out loud to me the works of african-american poets and writers he
african-american poets and writers he
african-american poets and writers he spoke the words as though they were
spoke the words as though they were
spoke the words as though they were pearls and cast them at my feet at six
pearls and cast them at my feet at six
pearls and cast them at my feet at six years old he handed to me the complete
years old he handed to me the complete
years old he handed to me the complete poems of african-american poet Paul
poems of african-american poet Paul
poems of african-american poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and selected a poem for
Laurence Dunbar and selected a poem for
Laurence Dunbar and selected a poem for me to memorize six years old that was
me to memorize six years old that was
me to memorize six years old that was pretty soon after I had learned to read
pretty soon after I had learned to read
pretty soon after I had learned to read but when I looked at the Spelling’s the
but when I looked at the Spelling’s the
but when I looked at the Spelling’s the language of Dunbar’s work language
language of Dunbar’s work language
language of Dunbar’s work language written written language that
written written language that
written written language that represented an oral dialect African
represented an oral dialect African
represented an oral dialect African American or Negro dialect
American or Negro dialect
American or Negro dialect I heard immediately in my head the
I heard immediately in my head the
I heard immediately in my head the language and the rhythm of my
language and the rhythm of my
language and the rhythm of my great-aunts and my great uncles it’s a
great-aunts and my great uncles it’s a
great-aunts and my great uncles it’s a dialect that evolved when people were
dialect that evolved when people were
dialect that evolved when people were brought here during the time of
brought here during the time of
brought here during the time of enslavement and they came with their own
enslavement and they came with their own
enslavement and they came with their own languages with their own distinct
languages with their own distinct
languages with their own distinct articulation patterns melodies rhythm
articulation patterns melodies rhythm
articulation patterns melodies rhythm and syntax structure they didn’t sit
and syntax structure they didn’t sit
and syntax structure they didn’t sit down and put them in a classroom and say
down and put them in a classroom and say
down and put them in a classroom and say now we’re going to learn English syntax
now we’re going to learn English syntax
now we’re going to learn English syntax and structure so when they encountered
and structure so when they encountered
and structure so when they encountered English they applied as most people do
English they applied as most people do
English they applied as most people do for whom English is the second language
for whom English is the second language
for whom English is the second language their own articulation patterns from
their own articulation patterns from
their own articulation patterns from their indigenous language and that’s how
their indigenous language and that’s how
their indigenous language and that’s how it evolved but if you hear someone from
it evolved but if you hear someone from
it evolved but if you hear someone from France lazy smallsy’s woman Nadia nor
France lazy smallsy’s woman Nadia nor
France lazy smallsy’s woman Nadia nor someone from India was being you say
someone from India was being you say
someone from India was being you say that’s kind of exotic or romantic when
that’s kind of exotic or romantic when
that’s kind of exotic or romantic when it came to African people it was
it came to African people it was
it came to African people it was considered backward or ignorant Dunbar
considered backward or ignorant Dunbar
considered backward or ignorant Dunbar created of spelling of those words and
created of spelling of those words and
created of spelling of those words and the language and the melody and the
the language and the melody and the
the language and the melody and the rhythm with brilliance and with dignity
rhythm with brilliance and with dignity
rhythm with brilliance and with dignity go away and quit that noise Miss Lucy
go away and quit that noise Miss Lucy
go away and quit that noise Miss Lucy that music book away
that music book away
that music book away what’s the use to keep on trying if you
what’s the use to keep on trying if you
what’s the use to keep on trying if you practice till you gray
practice till you gray
practice till you gray you can’t start no notes of flying like
you can’t start no notes of flying like
you can’t start no notes of flying like the ones that ran some rings from the
the ones that ran some rings from the
the ones that ran some rings from the kitchen to the Big Woods when Melinda
kitchen to the Big Woods when Melinda
kitchen to the Big Woods when Melinda says you ain’t got the natural organs
says you ain’t got the natural organs
says you ain’t got the natural organs for the make the sound come right you
for the make the sound come right you
for the make the sound come right you ain’t got the turns and twists for the
ain’t got the turns and twists for the
ain’t got the turns and twists for the make it sweet and light I tell you one
make it sweet and light I tell you one
make it sweet and light I tell you one thing now I must Lucy and I’m telling
thing now I must Lucy and I’m telling
thing now I must Lucy and I’m telling you the truth
you the truth
you the truth would have come to real right singing
would have come to real right singing
would have come to real right singing Tino is the thing to do he’s enough for
Tino is the thing to do he’s enough for
Tino is the thing to do he’s enough for folks to holla looking at the lines and
folks to holla looking at the lines and
folks to holla looking at the lines and doctor and ain’t no one consents it and
doctor and ain’t no one consents it and
doctor and ain’t no one consents it and the team comes in in spots but for real
the team comes in in spots but for real
the team comes in in spots but for real Merlot just music there to stretch your
Merlot just music there to stretch your
Merlot just music there to stretch your heart and clings just you stand and
heart and clings just you stand and
heart and clings just you stand and listen with me so what my father saw how
listen with me so what my father saw how
listen with me so what my father saw how quickly I memorized the first poem he
quickly I memorized the first poem he
quickly I memorized the first poem he gave to me he began to write monologues
gave to me he began to write monologues
gave to me he began to write monologues and create passages of literature for me
and create passages of literature for me
and create passages of literature for me to recite I was standing up in front of
to recite I was standing up in front of
to recite I was standing up in front of people at 6 years old
people at 6 years old
people at 6 years old reciting the wonderful story palms of
reciting the wonderful story palms of
reciting the wonderful story palms of parlance Dunbar and passages of
parlance Dunbar and passages of
parlance Dunbar and passages of literature that never appeared in any
literature that never appeared in any
literature that never appeared in any text book I ever had in school that was
text book I ever had in school that was
text book I ever had in school that was where the seeds for my journey as a
where the seeds for my journey as a
where the seeds for my journey as a storyteller were planted but it was in
storyteller were planted but it was in
storyteller were planted but it was in my later discovery of the full stories
my later discovery of the full stories
my later discovery of the full stories of West Africa and particularly the
of West Africa and particularly the
of West Africa and particularly the richness and the significance of the
richness and the significance of the
richness and the significance of the oral tradition that the true broader and
oral tradition that the true broader and
oral tradition that the true broader and deeper story of the cultural legacy that
deeper story of the cultural legacy that
deeper story of the cultural legacy that had been handed to me was revealed the
had been handed to me was revealed the
had been handed to me was revealed the stories validated my identity they
stories validated my identity they
stories validated my identity they validated my humanity and for everyone
validated my humanity and for everyone
validated my humanity and for everyone assembled here today or anyone watching
assembled here today or anyone watching
assembled here today or anyone watching from a remote location if you go back
from a remote location if you go back
from a remote location if you go back far enough in your own family or ethnic
far enough in your own family or ethnic
far enough in your own family or ethnic history you will discover an oral
history you will discover an oral
history you will discover an oral tradition be at the jollies or the
tradition be at the jollies or the
tradition be at the jollies or the grills of West Africa or the Shona King
grills of West Africa or the Shona King
grills of West Africa or the Shona King of Ireland the English bard the dust and
of Ireland the English bard the dust and
of Ireland the English bard the dust and going of India of the maggid of Jewish
going of India of the maggid of Jewish
going of India of the maggid of Jewish tradition many of the traditional
tradition many of the traditional
tradition many of the traditional stories that have been adapted for
stories that have been adapted for
stories that have been adapted for today’s contemporary animated films date
today’s contemporary animated films date
today’s contemporary animated films date far back to a time when
far back to a time when
far back to a time when before the Grimm’s brothers ever had a
before the Grimm’s brothers ever had a
before the Grimm’s brothers ever had a thought of writing them down many worse
thought of writing them down many worse
thought of writing them down many worse tales told orally by women about the
tales told orally by women about the
tales told orally by women about the dangers that lurk for young girls when
dangers that lurk for young girls when
dangers that lurk for young girls when they reached puberty or sexual maturity
they reached puberty or sexual maturity
they reached puberty or sexual maturity many of those dangers still lurk in our
many of those dangers still lurk in our
many of those dangers still lurk in our time certainly not in the literary form
time certainly not in the literary form
time certainly not in the literary form of a wolf dressed in grandma’s nightgown
of a wolf dressed in grandma’s nightgown
of a wolf dressed in grandma’s nightgown in the bed but wolves who lurk on the
in the bed but wolves who lurk on the
in the bed but wolves who lurk on the internet or in your workplace in some
internet or in your workplace in some
internet or in your workplace in some oral cultures traditional stories were
oral cultures traditional stories were
oral cultures traditional stories were revisited and studied for lessons that
revisited and studied for lessons that
revisited and studied for lessons that might be applicable when age-old
might be applicable when age-old
might be applicable when age-old conflicts and disagreements reoccur but
conflicts and disagreements reoccur but
conflicts and disagreements reoccur but it is the act of telling stories out
it is the act of telling stories out
it is the act of telling stories out loud that creates an intimate
loud that creates an intimate
loud that creates an intimate relationship between the teller and the
relationship between the teller and the
relationship between the teller and the listener there is no fourth wall it is a
listener there is no fourth wall it is a
listener there is no fourth wall it is a direct organic human to human
direct organic human to human
direct organic human to human interaction when a story is well told
interaction when a story is well told
interaction when a story is well told the listener is immediately drawn in
the listener is immediately drawn in
the listener is immediately drawn in there is a beautiful documentary called
there is a beautiful documentary called
there is a beautiful documentary called the great dance a hunter story that
the great dance a hunter story that
the great dance a hunter story that follows three poison hunters across the
follows three poison hunters across the
follows three poison hunters across the blazing hot Kalahari Desert as they run
blazing hot Kalahari Desert as they run
blazing hot Kalahari Desert as they run over the course of three days tracking a
over the course of three days tracking a
over the course of three days tracking a kubu a small antelope periodically
kubu a small antelope periodically
kubu a small antelope periodically they’ll stop and observe a bush a branch
they’ll stop and observe a bush a branch
they’ll stop and observe a bush a branch a leaf the ground and in total silence
a leaf the ground and in total silence
a leaf the ground and in total silence using a combinations of hand signals
using a combinations of hand signals
using a combinations of hand signals communicate to one another about the
communicate to one another about the
communicate to one another about the animals paths finally the kudu
animals paths finally the kudu
animals paths finally the kudu completely exhausted stops running and
completely exhausted stops running and
completely exhausted stops running and the hunters have meat to bring back for
the hunters have meat to bring back for
the hunters have meat to bring back for everyone to share later everyone gathers
everyone to share later everyone gathers
everyone to share later everyone gathers around the fire and with bellies full
around the fire and with bellies full
around the fire and with bellies full listen as the hunters relived the hunt
listen as the hunters relived the hunt
listen as the hunters relived the hunt with a combination of storytelling and
with a combination of storytelling and
with a combination of storytelling and dance taking everyone on the journey in
dance taking everyone on the journey in
dance taking everyone on the journey in the ancient kingdoms of song hi and
the ancient kingdoms of song hi and
the ancient kingdoms of song hi and Molly and today’s contemporary cultures
Molly and today’s contemporary cultures
Molly and today’s contemporary cultures of Senegal Gambia and Guinea the shaly
of Senegal Gambia and Guinea the shaly
of Senegal Gambia and Guinea the shaly the griot served as a kind of Borel
the griot served as a kind of Borel
the griot served as a kind of Borel keeper of Records
keeper of Records
keeper of Records he served multiple roles he was a
he served multiple roles he was a
he served multiple roles he was a genealogist he was an interpreter an
genealogist he was an interpreter an
genealogist he was an interpreter an instrumentalist a ritual celebrant but
instrumentalist a ritual celebrant but
instrumentalist a ritual celebrant but his primary role was the preservation
his primary role was the preservation
his primary role was the preservation and the oral transmission of his peoples
and the oral transmission of his peoples
and the oral transmission of his peoples history traditions and shared cultural
history traditions and shared cultural
history traditions and shared cultural beliefs now certainly the full breadth
beliefs now certainly the full breadth
beliefs now certainly the full breadth and scope of the human experience is not
and scope of the human experience is not
and scope of the human experience is not going to be embodied in a single story
going to be embodied in a single story
going to be embodied in a single story but in the wealth of stories of the
but in the wealth of stories of the
but in the wealth of stories of the varied peoples of the earth I am drawn
varied peoples of the earth I am drawn
varied peoples of the earth I am drawn to traditional stories the myths the
to traditional stories the myths the
to traditional stories the myths the legends historical epics the tall tales
legends historical epics the tall tales
legends historical epics the tall tales but mostly the folk tales the folklore
but mostly the folk tales the folklore
but mostly the folk tales the folklore stories passed down from mouth to ear to
stories passed down from mouth to ear to
stories passed down from mouth to ear to mouth to ear stories that traveled from
mouth to ear stories that traveled from
mouth to ear stories that traveled from village to village across deserts across
village to village across deserts across
village to village across deserts across oceans and the halls of slave ships
oceans and the halls of slave ships
oceans and the halls of slave ships stories birthed in slave cabins in
stories birthed in slave cabins in
stories birthed in slave cabins in tobacco and cotton and rice fields
tobacco and cotton and rice fields
tobacco and cotton and rice fields stories that traveled as the varied
stories that traveled as the varied
stories that traveled as the varied peoples of the earth migrated from one
peoples of the earth migrated from one
peoples of the earth migrated from one part of the world to the other taking
part of the world to the other taking
part of the world to the other taking their stories with them the stories
their stories with them the stories
their stories with them the stories might change to fit the new cultural
might change to fit the new cultural
might change to fit the new cultural adaptation but the essence of the story
adaptation but the essence of the story
adaptation but the essence of the story always remained it’s why you can find
always remained it’s why you can find
always remained it’s why you can find multiple versions of the same story in
multiple versions of the same story in
multiple versions of the same story in various cultures and countries
various cultures and countries
various cultures and countries throughout the world
throughout the world
throughout the world those stories even when they’ve been
those stories even when they’ve been
those stories even when they’ve been changed or adapted still contain those
changed or adapted still contain those
changed or adapted still contain those kernels of wisdom as this particular
kernels of wisdom as this particular
kernels of wisdom as this particular adaptation of a traditional story that
adaptation of a traditional story that
adaptation of a traditional story that made its way across the ocean from the
made its way across the ocean from the
made its way across the ocean from the Asian continent here to the west there
Asian continent here to the west there
Asian continent here to the west there was a man and a woman who contemplated
was a man and a woman who contemplated
was a man and a woman who contemplated the difference between heaven and hell
the difference between heaven and hell
the difference between heaven and hell after all said the husband no one we
after all said the husband no one we
after all said the husband no one we know has ever returned from either place
know has ever returned from either place
know has ever returned from either place to bear witness conversations about life
to bear witness conversations about life
to bear witness conversations about life after death became more frequent as they
after death became more frequent as they
after death became more frequent as they grew older well said the wife why let
grew older well said the wife why let
grew older well said the wife why let death come upon us why let death be our
death come upon us why let death be our
death come upon us why let death be our guide let us seek the answer while we
guide let us seek the answer while we
guide let us seek the answer while we yet have life so hand in hand they
yet have life so hand in hand they
yet have life so hand in hand they descended into the lowest depths of Hell
descended into the lowest depths of Hell
descended into the lowest depths of Hell found themselves in a room where a table
found themselves in a room where a table
found themselves in a room where a table spread from end to end
spread from end to end
spread from end to end far as the eye could see on the table
far as the eye could see on the table
far as the eye could see on the table was all manner of food sweet meats and
was all manner of food sweet meats and
was all manner of food sweet meats and rolls fruits and vegetables curved
rolls fruits and vegetables curved
rolls fruits and vegetables curved handle jugs filled with honey and wine
handle jugs filled with honey and wine
handle jugs filled with honey and wine and neck chairs ringed the table but
and neck chairs ringed the table but
and neck chairs ringed the table but each one who occupied a seat was din and
each one who occupied a seat was din and
each one who occupied a seat was din and one with eyes sunken in cheeks hollowed
one with eyes sunken in cheeks hollowed
one with eyes sunken in cheeks hollowed out how could this be and then they saw
out how could this be and then they saw
out how could this be and then they saw each one had elbows that no longer bent
each one had elbows that no longer bent
each one had elbows that no longer bent and had been commanded to eat with a
and had been commanded to eat with a
and had been commanded to eat with a fork that was five feet long so while
fork that was five feet long so while
fork that was five feet long so while they were able to spear morsels of food
they were able to spear morsels of food
they were able to spear morsels of food they could not get the food into their
they could not get the food into their
they could not get the food into their mouths and so here in the midst of
mouths and so here in the midst of
mouths and so here in the midst of Plenty people were left wanting for all
Plenty people were left wanting for all
Plenty people were left wanting for all eternity ah so this is hell well hand in
eternity ah so this is hell well hand in
eternity ah so this is hell well hand in hand they left the lowest steps of Hell
hand they left the lowest steps of Hell
hand they left the lowest steps of Hell ascended into the uttermost reaches of
ascended into the uttermost reaches of
ascended into the uttermost reaches of heaven found themselves in a room where
heaven found themselves in a room where
heaven found themselves in a room where a table spread from end to end as far as
a table spread from end to end as far as
a table spread from end to end as far as the eye could see on the table was all
the eye could see on the table was all
the eye could see on the table was all manner of food sweet meats and rolls
manner of food sweet meats and rolls
manner of food sweet meats and rolls fruits vegetables curved handle jugs
fruits vegetables curved handle jugs
fruits vegetables curved handle jugs filled with honey and wine and nectar
filled with honey and wine and nectar
filled with honey and wine and nectar chairs ringed the table and each one who
chairs ringed the table and each one who
chairs ringed the table and each one who occupied a seat had elbows that no
occupied a seat had elbows that no
occupied a seat had elbows that no longer bent and had been commanded to
longer bent and had been commanded to
longer bent and had been commanded to eat with a fork that was five feet long
eat with a fork that was five feet long
eat with a fork that was five feet long but here they were robust there was
but here they were robust there was
but here they were robust there was conversation laughter and joy how could
conversation laughter and joy how could
conversation laughter and joy how could this be and then they saw each one which
this be and then they saw each one which
this be and then they saw each one which spear a morsel of food then turned and
spear a morsel of food then turned and
spear a morsel of food then turned and begin to feed each other when speaking
begin to feed each other when speaking
begin to feed each other when speaking of the importance of preserving
of the importance of preserving
of the importance of preserving traditional stories revered storyteller
traditional stories revered storyteller
traditional stories revered storyteller story mentor story coach Elizabeth Ellis
story mentor story coach Elizabeth Ellis
story mentor story coach Elizabeth Ellis says they’re not good because they’re
says they’re not good because they’re
says they’re not good because they’re old they’re old because they’re good
old they’re old because they’re good
old they’re old because they’re good some time ago I was invited to represent
some time ago I was invited to represent
some time ago I was invited to represent America the stimming voices festival in
America the stimming voices festival in
America the stimming voices festival in Basel Switzerland I speak neither French
Basel Switzerland I speak neither French
Basel Switzerland I speak neither French nor German I told all of my stories in
nor German I told all of my stories in
nor German I told all of my stories in English over the course of the festival
English over the course of the festival
English over the course of the festival and my last set on Sunday afternoon I
and my last set on Sunday afternoon I
and my last set on Sunday afternoon I packed up my instruments I was heading
packed up my instruments I was heading
packed up my instruments I was heading away from the festival grounds when I
away from the festival grounds when I
away from the festival grounds when I heard someone coming up behind me miss
heard someone coming up behind me miss
heard someone coming up behind me miss miss miss miss miss and I turned to see
miss miss miss miss and I turned to see
miss miss miss miss and I turned to see a couple kind of jogging over towards me
a couple kind of jogging over towards me
a couple kind of jogging over towards me and she said um English very hard when I
and she said um English very hard when I
and she said um English very hard when I hear English my ear closed but when I
hear English my ear closed but when I
hear English my ear closed but when I hear your stories my ear open an honour
hear your stories my ear open an honour
hear your stories my ear open an honour and spirit of a brown man who fed his
and spirit of a brown man who fed his
and spirit of a brown man who fed his daughter the most precious of pearls in
daughter the most precious of pearls in
daughter the most precious of pearls in the spirit of every storyteller across
the spirit of every storyteller across
the spirit of every storyteller across time and place past and present who
time and place past and present who
time and place past and present who speaks the traditional tales I
speaks the traditional tales I
speaks the traditional tales I encourages all to create moments where
encourages all to create moments where
encourages all to create moments where we can gather together to hear the
we can gather together to hear the
we can gather together to hear the telling of the age-old stories and in so
telling of the age-old stories and in so
telling of the age-old stories and in so doing allow our ears and our hearts to
doing allow our ears and our hearts to
doing allow our ears and our hearts to open
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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