The Power of Oral Culture in Education: Theorizing Proverbs, Idioms, and Folklore Tales

Foreword
Dedications and Acknowledgements
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
Chapter 1: The Power of Oral Culture in Education: Remembering, Documenting, and Revitalizing Oral Teachings
	Introduction
	Positionality and Lived Experiences of the Authors with Oral Culture and Storytelling
	Significance of Theorizing Oral Culture: Disrupting Colonial Logic
	Oral Culture and Storytelling as a Medium and Tool for Relationship-Building Intergenerationally
	Power of Oral Culture in Mitigating Systemic Inequities in Education
	The Interconnection of Oral Culture in Maintaining Traditions, Languages, and Ways of Life
Part I: Identity: Knowing and Understanding Who You Are, Your Roots, Lineage, and Cultural Customs and Practices
	Chapter 2: “Mtu Akikuita Mmbwa Usibweke”/When Someone Calls You A Dog, Don’t Bark Back!
		Introduction
		Locating Self
		Msemo/Proverb: “Mtu Akikuita Mmbwa Usibweke”/When Someone Calls You a Dog, Don’t Bark Back!
		Somo/Lesson-Take Away
		Targeted Group, Lesson Plan, Pre-Activity, Main Activity, and Post Activity, Debriefing Questions
		Activity Plan
		References
	Chapter 3: Stories and Counter-Stories
		Locating Self as Author
		Proverb in Detail
		Meaning/Take Away Message
		Activity
			Book Collection Audit Guide and Activity
			Book collection Audit Guide
		Why and How:
		Appendix Activity Plans
		References
	Chapter 4: Strength through Resistance: Drawing Critical Connections between Malalai of Maiwand and Malala Yousafzai to Counter Western Narratives of Muslim Girlhood
		Locating Self as Author
		The Story(ies)
		Objective/Meaning/Take-Away Message
		Lesson Plan
			Why and How This Story Matters to You Across Time and Space:
		Activity Plan
		References
	Chapter 5: Theorizing the Power of African Oral Culture for Identity Formation
		Introduction
		Foundation of Identity within the African Indigenous Culture
		Proverbs as Speech for Africa Indigenous Societies
		African Proverbs for Identity Formation
		Objective of the Proverbs/Meaning/Take-Away Message
		Conclusion: The Invaluable Significance of the African Identity Activity (AIA)
		Activity Plan
		References
Part II: Culture: Customs and Traditions with Symbolic Meanings Associated with a Particular Nation, People, or Social Group
	Chapter 6: ‘Soulful Listening’: Rumi’s Story of the Parrot and the Merchant
		The Story of Rumi
		The Mathnawi
		The Parrot and the Merchant
		Listening: Beyond Matter Or Mind
		To Empty Oneself
		Be Silent and Listen
		Bear Witness to Attack of Meaning
		Activity Plan
		References
	Chapter 7: The Persimmon Tree: A Japanese Rakugo Tale
		About the Author
		Cultural Significance of Rakugo Storytelling
		Why Oral Storytelling?
		Embedding Authentic Culture
			Glossary
		Introduction to the Story
		The Persimmon Tree
			Part One
			Part Two
			Part Three
			Part Four
			Part Five
			Part Six
			Part Seven
		Activity Plan
		References
	Chapter 8: Importance of Proverbs in Caribbean Culture
		Locating Self as Author
		Origins
		Importance of Proverbs in Caribbean Culture
		Ben di tree while it young…
		Modern Context
		Activity Plan
		References
	Chapter 9: Maintenance of an Iranian Identity through Oral Culture and the Shahnameh: “The Shame Is Not In Asking, Shame Is In Not Knowing”
		Introduction
		Author Positionality: My Journey from Iran to Toronto, Canada
		Storytelling, Proverbs, and Idioms as Educational Tools
		Meaning and Take-Away Message of the Idiom
		Questioning as an Art for Activism and Advocacy
		Learning and Becoming More through My Cultural Roots and Family History
		Implications for the Classroom: Centering Oral Culture
		Activity Plan: The Art of Questioning—Understanding Who We Are through Oral Culture and Poetry
		References
Part III: Power: The Ability or Capacity to Influence Change Which Can Manifest in Different Ways Through Ideas, Individuals, or Institutions
	Chapter 10: Pedagogies of Resistance in the Palestinian Folktales: Nus-Nsais
		Identity/Positioning of Author/Entry to the Folktale
		Nus-Nsais
		Sitting/Analysis/Interpretation
		Moral Lessons
		Education
		Activity Plan
		References
	Chapter 11: Nanny’s Dolly: Using Storytelling to Explore the Residential School Experience with Young Learners
		Classroom Activities to Support Post-lesson
			Primary Grades (1–3)
			Early Junior (Grades 3–4)
			Late Junior (Grades 5–6)
		Conclusion
		Activity Plan
		References
	Chapter 12: Remembering a Goan Folktale in the Midst of a Global Pandemic
		Locating the Self as Author
		Re-Telling A Goan Folklore (India)
		Objective and Meaning
			Power/Empowerment in Midst of a Pandemic
			Why This Folktale Matters Across Time and Space
			Follow-Up Questions
			Attulem and Bittulem: A Cautionary Tale for Our Time
		Debrief of the Activity
		Appendix Activity Plans
		References
	Chapter 13: Teaching and Learning from Our Elder’s Feet: Decolonizing Education Through Embu Proverbs
		Njoki Wane
		Madrine G. Muruatetu
		Sein A. S. Kipusi
		Anti-colonial Thought and Indigenous Knowledge
		Indigenous Teaching Tools: Use of Proverbs and Their Application
		A 45-Minute Lesson Plan.
		Conclusion
		Appendix Activity Plans
		References
Part IV: Community: A Collective Group or Geographical Space That Attends to the Needs of Its Members with Love, Respect, and Reciprocity with a Unified Vision or Common Interests
	Chapter 14: Lessons from the Legend of the No Face Doll: Haudenosaunee Origin
		Locating Self as Author
		The Story/proverb/idiom in Detail:
		Objective/ Meaning/ Take-Away Message:
			Other Considerations for Lessons
		Debriefing Questions for Younger Children (Elementary):
		Debriefing Questions for Older Children (Middle/Secondary):
		Why and How Section:
			The Work of Reconciliation in Our Learning Communities
		Appendix Activity Plans
		References
	Chapter 15: The Story of Ni3mah: A Palestinian Folktale
		Locating Self as Author
		The Folklore Tale
			The Story of Ni3mah, A Palestinian Folktale
		Debriefing Questions
		Why and How Section
		Country of Origin
		Meaning/Take-Away Message
		Activity Plan
		References
	Chapter 16: The Power of Service in Building Inclusive Communities
		Locating Myself
		The Story
		Activity Plan
		References
	Chapter 17: Addressing the Elephant in the Room
		Locating Self as Author
		Blind Men and the Elephant
		Take Away Message/Understanding
		Activity Plan
		References
Index