A foundational study of oral-formulaic theory, demonstrating how epic poetry like the Iliad and Odyssey was composed through performance using a specialized language of formulas and themes.
An indigenous-led exploration of Inuit creation myths, centering on the figure of the Raven, the origin of the sea, and the spiritual concept of Sila. The work contextualizes these narratives as a vital philosophical system for understanding the relationship between humanity and the Arctic environment.
Creation myths offer more than just origin stories; they are the primary symbolic architecture of human civilization. These narratives provide profound insights into how cultures perceive their place in the cosmos, their relationship with the divine, and their moral obligations.
This article explores oral traditions as sophisticated systems for preserving cultural memory, detailing mnemonic devices, social mechanisms, and their role in identity formation. It highlights how these adaptive systems leverage narrative and performative elements to ensure intergenerational knowledge transmission.
Folk narratives are not static relics but dynamic cultural documents that evolve across generations, mirroring societal shifts. This analysis explores the mechanisms of their transmission and adaptation.
Before written language, storytelling served as humanity’s living archive, transmitting values, histories, and survival strategies. Narratives are a fundamental technology, shaping societies while preserving cultural identity across generations.
Explore how oral traditions and local legends function as dynamic memory systems, preserving cultural identity and community memory across generations through storytelling and shared experience.
