Evolution of Storytelling

• Storytelling is the oldest form of communication and entertainment.
• It originated from early hunters and gatherers using movement, gestures, and sounds.
• Storytelling exists in every culture throughout history.

Storytelling in the Caribbean

• It is a cultural art form, also known as an oral tradition.
• Storytellers were village historians, memorizing and passing down history.

Evolution of Storytelling

• Oral Tradition: Stories spoken in villages and families.
• Written Tradition: Stories recorded in text, preserving history and culture.
• Performance Tradition: Plays and stage performances.
• Digital Tradition: Stories shared on TVs, phones, YouTube, TikTok, etc.

Elements of a Good Story

• Characters: Who is the story about?
• Plot: What happens in the story?
• Setting: Where does the story take place?
• Conflict: When does the problem arise?
• Resolution: Why does the problem get sorted?

Why Share Stories?

• Entertainment: For fun and enjoyment.
• Community Bonding: Brings people together.
• Education: Teaches values, behavior, or academic lessons.
• Culture & History: Preserves traditions and customs.
• Human Connection: Builds empathy and understanding.

Caribbean Rituals

• Opening: "Crick, Crack" followed by the response "Break my back."
• Closing: "Wire Bend" followed by the response "Story End."

Plot Structures

• Linear Plot: Follows a clear timeline.
• Non-Linear Plot: Jumps back and forth in time.
• Circular Plot: Ends where it began.
• Episodic Plot: Divided into separate scenes that form a larger story.
• Parallel Plot: Two or more storylines happening at the same time, connecting at the end.

Freytag’s Pyramid (Key Structure for Drama)

• Exposition: Introduces characters, setting, and conflict.
• Initial Incident: First sign of conflict.
• Rising Action: Builds tension.
• Climax: Most intense turning point.
• Falling Action: Conflict begins to resolve.
• Denouement/Resolution: The ending where everything is resolved.

Dramatic Devices (Key Storytelling Techniques)

• Breaking the 4th Wall: Actors address the audience directly.
• Realism: A style that mirrors real life.
• Dialogue: Spoken words between characters revealing emotions and relationships.
• Stage Directions: Instructions on movement, behavior, and lighting.
• Subtext: The underlying meaning beneath spoken dialogue.
• Costumes: Outfits defining a character’s role, status, or personality.
• Blocking: Planned movement and positioning of actors.
• Music/Melody: Builds mood, tension, or emotion.
• Symbolism/Motif: Repeated themes or symbols representing deeper meanings.
• Props: Objects used to enhance realism or symbolism.
• Irony: A contrast between appearance and reality.
• Foreshadowing: Clues about future events.

Notable Caribbean Storytellers

• Louise Bennett (Miss Lou) (Jamaican): Known as the Mother of Caribbean Storytelling, wrote poems in Jamaican Patwa, famous character Aunty Roachie.
• Paul Keens-Douglas (Grenadian/Trinidadian): Mastered audience interaction, famous character Tanti Merle.
• Marc Matthews (Guyanese): Popular for recalling youth experiences, famous character Carlton.
• George 'Fish' Alphonse (St. Lucian): Tells stories in English and Kweyol, famous character Grandpa.
• Ramdeen ‘John Agitation’ Ramajattan (Trinidadian): Known for mimicking Pierrot Grenade and Midnight Robber styles, 50+ years as a storyteller.
• Alfred Pragnell (Barbadian): Known for stories with biting social commentary.
• Pearl Eintou-Springer (Trinidadian): Specializes in children’s stories featuring traditional folk characters like Anansi.
• Ken Corsbie (Guyanese): Describes himself with a unique mix of cultural backgrounds.
• Amina Blackwood-Meeks (Jamaican): Writes and performs contemporary Caribbean storytelling, organized the first storytelling festival in 1994.
• Joan Andrea Hutchinson (Jamaican): Known as Dat Bumpy Head Gyal, motivational speaker and actress.
• Rita Cox (Trinidadian): Awarded an honorary degree for her storytelling work.
• Rickie Keens-Douglas: A professional dancer and storyteller.

Caribbean Folklore Legends

• Anansi/Anancy/Ananse: A spider trickster from African folklore.
• Moko Jumbie: Tall stilt-walking spirits symbolizing spiritual strength.
• Le Loupgarou: A wolf-like creature that preys on the weak when struck with a holy object for nine days.
• Mami Wata: A seductive mermaid-like spirit symbolizing wealth, fertility, and healing.
• Papa Bois: Forest guardian resembling a goat-like man with a leafy beard which protects animals and warns of dangers.
• La Diablesse: A beautiful woman with a backward foot who leads men astray, defeated by turning clothes inside out.
• Douen: Ghostly child spirits with backward feet who lure children into danger.
• Soucouyant: A vampire-like old woman who turns into a fireball at night, defeated by capturing her skin or placing rice in her path.
• Mama Dlo (Mama Glow): Is a half-woman, half-snake water spirit who punishes those harming nature.

Old Story Time

• Miss Aggy’s Portrait of Jesus symbolizes her religious devotion.
• Pearl’s clothing represents he youthful outfits contrasting with her older, worn-down appearance.
• Miss Aggy’s Obeah Beliefs reflect her paranoia and foreshadow future events.