JB Rowley    

storyteller and author

What is an oral storyteller?

Oral storytelling is the art of sharing the narrative within the immediacy and intimacy
of personal contact with fellow human beings.

Oral storytelling is not reading from a book which is a different skill. An oral storyteller carries the story
 in his/her head and releases it to listeners. The story travels from mouth to mind—from the storyteller’s
mouth to the listener’s mind. This is a direct connection from human being to human being. The immediacy
and improvisational elements of oral storytelling absorbs influences from the storyteller, the audience and
 the story to create a unique connection.  

What is storytelling? 

Storytelling is a human need.  

Storytelling connects human beings to other human beings.

Storytelling helps us make sense of the world around us.

Storytelling helps us share, understand and alleviate fears and worries.

Storytelling helps us understand our beliefs.
 

Storytelling may have begun as dance in the way that the Australian Aboriginal people still dance their stories. It may have begun as pictures in the dust, on bark or on cave walls. Perhaps it began as mime around the campfire. It was probably in existence in some form from the time human beings began.
Oral storytelling probably evolved from one of these early forms of storytelling.

Storytelling today comes in many forms but the ancient tradition of oral storytelling continues. Each of us continues this tradition when we relate our experiences to others. Some of us become working storytellers
and accept the responsibility for sharing the traditional oral stories and creating new ones.
JB Rowley is a working storyteller.

Oral storytelling is extremely beneficial to children of all ages.

Western Australia