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Storytelling in Art of the First Nations
Storytelling in the art of the first nations people serves a creative and practical purpose.The history of the tribes of the First Nations can be found throughout its stories, its myths and its legends.
Early in the existence of the First Nations there was no such thing as paper or pen with which to record their past. Instead, the events of their lives and the lessons they wanted to teach their young were passed down through the use of creative stories that brought these simple lessons to life.
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Storytelling among the people of the First Nations was an art form in and of itself, requiring the perfect balance of enthusiasm and solemnity to impart importance.
The responsibility for sharing the stories of their people often fell to the men of the tribe, who would sit at their campfire with their children and tell them fantastical stories of the fathers and forefathers that had gone before them.
Unlike storytelling among the European societies the people of the First Tribes were rarely to be found sitting down when relaying these tales. For first nations it was an art in and of itself among their people!
More often than not a man would be found leaping and twirling with the ease of a graceful dancer, using his hands, his feet, his eyes and the tone of his voice to take the words coming from his mouth and give them shape and substance until his listening audience forgot who was speaking and lost themselves in the adventure.
Storytelling replaced the theater among these tribes, responsible for both entertainment and education. A good storyteller was expected to pass the legends and the history of their people to the young, who would then ensure its survival throughout the coming years.
The stories and legends of the people of the First Nations have for generations provided fodder for their artwork.
The bear and the raven, both of which were legendary for the role they played in the creation of the world, feature in the work of First Nations artists over and over again.
The animal spirits, each of which was believed to play its own role in the lives of man, could be found in their paintings, weaving and sculptures in an attempt to bring protection and good luck to a household or family.
Although the day may come that the tribes of the First Nations will become all but obsolete their stories and their history will obtain immortality through their art and through the words of the people who learned their history at their father’s knee and cannot forget.
