THE ART OF STORYTELLING: PART II: A BRIEF HISTORY OF ORAL STORYTELLING by Penny Hutson

Storytelling is one of the oldest art forms. Historians believe people told stories orally long before the invention of written language or any writing instruments. The earliest stories were likely simple chants and myths created to explain natural occurrences. Over the years, more intricate stories of gods and goddesses, monsters, and people with superhuman qualities emerged, creating the hero tale.

During the Middle Ages, oral storytelling became a favorite pastime. Minstrels, bards, and troubadours roamed the countryside in Eastern Europe. They knew all the popular tales, noteworthy university theses, scandals of the royal court, and the healing power of herbs and simple medicines. Many learned to play whatever instruments were in favor at court and compose verses at a moment's notice. In a way, they acted as modern-day journalists keeping society informed of local and world of affairs; but they were also entertainers, which is likely why they were welcomed at the royal courts, villages, and marketplaces alike.

With the invention of moveable type and the printing press, however, interest in oral storytelling declined as more people learned to read. By the 1800s folktales became popular with the publication of the Grimm’s Fairytales, Hans Christian Anderson folktales, and other collected regional stories.

By the early 1900s, there was a rise in oral storytelling again thanks to Marie Shedlock, a schoolteacher in England, who became the first professional oral storyteller. She toured in Europe and the United States and proposed oral storytelling as a natural way to introduce literature to children. She’s also credited with inspiring the first storytelling organization, The National Story League, created in 1903, which is still in operation today.

Then, with the invention of the television, oral storytelling declined again until the 1970s when other storytelling organizations formed. In 1973 the first National Storytelling Festival was created in Jonesborough, TN, and is still held annually. Similar scenarios began happening in England and other places around the world. Currently, there are dozens of storytelling festivals and hundreds of professional storytellers around the world, including an international celebration on World Storytelling Day every March 20.

Since the early 2000s, the internet has connected storytellers from all over the globe and helped to increase interest in telling stories, both written and oral. Ordinary people’s personal stories, true crime, and the lives of famous people are particularly popular right now.

There are many online sites, as well as television programs dedicated to storytelling, such as the Public Broadcasting Service’s (PBS) “On Story” and Music Television’s (MTV) “Storytellers.” Currently, people’s personal stories – funny, sad, scary, and just plain interesting ones are very popular.

I don’t know what storytelling will look like in the future, but I am certain it will still be around in some form or another. Storytelling has stood the test of time and appears to be endemic to the very fabric of humanity itself.

So, when’s the last time someone told you a good story? If it’s been a while, tune into a radio station like the Moth Radio Hour, find a storytelling program on TV, listen to a podcast or Utube channel, or check out an audio book from your local library. Experience the magic and power of the spoken word. It may surprise you.