Cultural Studies

Folktales are windows into other cultures as well as mirrors of ourselves. Studying folktales allows contemporary people to experience diverse cultures of long ago, and to gain insight into present day descendants of those cultures. Through these old tales, we can observe the differences and commonalities of cultures around the world. Folktales also enable us to empathize with contemporary cultures that are unfamiliar. Since folktales deal with universal life experience, they can offer enlightening insights into traditions and values.

Out of respect to the ancient people who have preserved and shaped the folktales over time, contemporary tellers should become as familiar as possible with the context in which the tale was told. Social studies exploration of the context in which a tale might be told, the historical times, environment, food, housing, religion and so forth, can add to the joy of telling and to the respect a teller brings to the sharing of the story.

Storytelling across the Curriculum:
Storytelling and Social Studies

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