Stories

Every . . . 

. . . human person,

. . . family,

. . . organization, association, community,

. . . neighbourhood,

. . . society,

. . . nation,

. . . religion,

. . . ethnic group,

. . . tribe,

has stories, stories to tell.

Stories encapsulate significant and insignificant experiences,

Experiences from the storytellers’ perspective.

When we tell stories, we . . .

. . . laugh,

. . . cry,

. . . contemplate,

. . . celebrate.

Stories trigger feelings of . . .

. . . joy,

. . . anger,

. . . sadness,

. . .regrets.

Like a reservoir containing water, human get-togethers are the receptables for storytelling.

Gathering at . . .

meals

comedy shows

bars, sports field

hairdressing parlours and salons

street corners

nursing homes

Hikes, beaches, or river trips

religious celebrations

literary festivals

classrooms

Do we hide our stories?

Stories . . .

. . . transmit values

. . . transport wisdom lessons

. . . recall history

. . . paint canvases of identity

. . . construct edifices of confidence, trust and pride

. . . build community

. . . and allow rivers of success to flow rapidly.

Caribbean people capture and communicate colourful stories in . . .

. . . music – Soca, Zouk, Reggae,

. . . literature – Derek Walcott, George Lamming, Marcia Douglas

. . . art – Jackie Hinkson, 

. . . comedy – Oliver Samuels

. . . poetry in the vernacular – Louise Bennett

. . . Dance – Dancehall. 

Everyone has stories

Everyone has stories to tell

Everyone has stories to tell about yesterday

Everyone has stories to tell about yesterday and today

Everyone has stories to tell about yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

What’s your story?

Find a space, a person, a group to tell your story.

Create a space for persons to tell their stories.