Oral storytelling has been around as long as human language. Our ancestors probably gathered around the evening fires and talked about their fears and their beliefs through oral stories. This long tradition of storytelling is evident in ancient cultures such as the Australian Aborigines.
Early storytelling probably originates in simple chant. People sang chants as they worked at grinding corn or sharpening tools. Then they started to combine stories, poetry, music, and dance. The stories explained how life began and why things happened, as well as provided entertainment. Those who were excellent at storytelling became entertainers, educators, cultural advisors, and historians for the community. Through storytellers, the history of a culture was handed down from generation to generation.
In the 20th century, interest in oral storytelling has revived. A number of storytelling festivals were established. Storytelling festivals bring tellers to gether for entertaining, telling and education in the art.
* oral = spoken