THEATRE ARTS STORYTELLING IN THE BRITISH CARIBBEAN Storytelling Definition Origins Purpose/Significance The conveying of events using words,

images and sounds. African oral tradition of storytelling Teaches a lesson (stories of Anacy); discusses aspects of Caribbean culture; utilises Caribbean creole languages; reinforces traditions; explodes myths- folklore; explains our lives and our history; celebrates the living and the dead; provides enjoyment and laughter Traditionally oral stories were memorised and passed down from generation to generation. African tradition of the griot Often starts with - Crick and crowd responds with Crack and at the end of the story they say Crick Crack, Wire bend, Story end. Practitioner Lousie Bennett (Miss Lou) deceased Country Jamaica Title of Work Work

Style

Colonization in Reverse- Wrote in ryhymed verse responding to about the boat-loads of immediate incidents in her life or what Jamaicans and other West she sees and hears around her. Indians who migrated to England in the fifties and early sixties and their effect on the British cultural landscape. Tanti at de Oval Ah fire de wuk Comical narrations, a cross between poetry and short stories, about everyday Caribbean people and incidents. Writes of "small boy" days. Tells stories about Barbadian society and culture. Stories in both English and the island's patois, or Kweyol, dressed and made up as the traditional old man of the village.

Paul Keens Douglas

Trinidad

Marc Mathews Alfred Pragnell (deceased)

Guyana Barbados

George Alphonse St. Lucia