Video
Carolyn White telling a story at her general store on James Island, South Carolina. 1996.Folk Narrative
Throughout the South, storytelling is a particularly rich form of verbal folklore. Stories can be sacred or secular, serious or funny, long or short, and performed by children or adults. Storytellers can be found on front porches, the corner store, the family dinner table - anywhere people tend to gather. Storytelling is not restricted to one particular culture group. Native American, African American, and EuroAmerican narrative traditions have deep roots in the South. In addition, much of the traditional music in South Carolina has a powerful storytelling aspect. Blues music usually incorporates storytelling into the song structure, as does much of the gospel, country, and ballad music performed from the hills of the upstate to the marshes along the coast.
Content is provided by McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.
For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.
Within this Series
Video
Carolyn White telling a story at her general store on James Island, South Carolina. 1996.Video
Buford Mabry documented by Jack Doyle and his staff at the University of South Carolina Sumter's Center for Oral Narration.Video
Gullah storytellers often perform folktales that feature animals as the main characters. Aunt Pearlie Sue tells the story of "The Bossy Elephant" in English. After listening, compare how the same...Video
Aunt Pearlie Sue tells the story of "The Bossy Elephant" using the Gullah Language.Video
Red discovers something is wrong with grandma. The Gullah voiceover for this folktale was recorded by Gullah artist Anita Singleton-Prather.Video
Red discovers something is wrong with grandma. The Gullah voiceover for this folktale was recorded by Gullah artist Anita Singleton-Prather.Video
Buford Mabry documented by Jack Doyle and his staff at the University of South Carolina Sumter's Center for Oral Narration.Video
Buford Mabry documented by Jack Doyle and his staff at the University of South Carolina Sumter's Center for Oral Narration.Video
Buford Mabry documented by Jack Doyle and his staff at the University of South Carolina Sumter's Center for Oral Narration.