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.

Title:
Bossy Elephant in English | Gullah Tales
Bossy Elephant in English | Gullah Tales

Video

Grades: PreK Kindergarten 1 2

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...
Red Riding Hood in English | Gullah Tales
Red Riding Hood in English | Gullah Tales

Video

Grades: PreK Kindergarten 1 2 3 4 5

Red discovers something is wrong with grandma. The Gullah voiceover for this folktale was recorded by Gullah artist Anita Singleton-Prather.
Red Riding Hood in Gullah | Gullah Tales
Red Riding Hood in Gullah | Gullah Tales

Video

Grades: PreK Kindergarten 1 2 3

Red discovers something is wrong with grandma. The Gullah voiceover for this folktale was recorded by Gullah artist Anita Singleton-Prather.
Helen Satterley Audio Transcript | Digital Traditions
Helen Satterley Audio Transcript | Digital Traditions
Episode 1

Document

Grades: Higher Education

Audio transcript for Helen Satterley Resident of McClellanville, SC (Charleston County). She grew up learning to speak Gullah and tells jokes and stories in the Gullah language. Her house was damaged...
You Better Run | Louise Miller Cohen | Digital Traditions
You Better Run | Louise Miller Cohen | Digital Traditions
Episode 4

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Cohen performing a traditional African American spiritual at the 2002 South Carolina Traditional Arts Network Concert in Columbia, SC. Recording by Bob McAnally of Clemson Radio Productions/SCERN.