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Folklore Storytelling Takes Place At The BHOC
Written by CTV3 Publisher Friday, 03 February 2012 15:33
One of the factors that create our identity is culture. Here in the north the most predominant culture is the Maya Mestizo and during this age of modernization, elders are employing different methods to keep the Mestizo Culture alive in order for it to be passed down from generation to generation. One of those methods is the use of Orature or in other words Oral Literature. The method is used by scholars to promote culture and history by word of mouth. That’s the exact method that the Banquitas of House of Culture with the assistance of Libertad Cal used this morning as they organized a folklore story telling for students.
Hipolito Novelo-Reporting
Today students of La Inmaculada Primary School, Saint Peter’s Anglican School and Carmelita RC Primary School gathered inside the Banquitas House of Culture, made their selves comfortable and enjoyed a snack while they attentively listened to stories of folklore characters like La Llorrona.
The Coordinator of the Banquitas House of Culture Yvette Torres told us that it’s the first time the event is being hosted and that there is a great significance behind the Initiative.
Yvette Torres, Coordinator BHOC
“The four stories we are capturing today is “El Pero Queue Canto” which happen in San Antonio many years ago and “Los Brujos” which occurred in Yo Creek Village and “La Llorona” and “La Xtabai” stories, these stories are based on legendary things that happened many years ago and I believe it is very important for us to teach and let the kids know of these folklore stories which really actually happen in our district.”
Hipolito Novelo-Reporter
“What are the expected impacts that these folklore stories will have on the children?”
Yvette Torres, Coordinator BHOC
“For the kids to know that this has happen and it has to do with our past which is our ancestors the Mayas and these stories are based on their believes so it will leave them to know that something has happen here in our country and something that they can share with other persons, with their children, with visitors.”
But the stories that the students heard today where not ones that made their bones quiver and teeth shatter. They were stories with strong meanings and values, stories that spoke about the history and culture of the Maya Mestizo.
Yvette Torres, Coordinator BHOC
“We need to be very careful because this is what they believe in and it is like for them, especially like when they go to the river that they need to be very careful you just don’t leave a kid alone in the river swimming, because one story was based in San Antonio whereby the dog had drowned and this is whereby it teaches a lesson for everyone that when you go to a river a child should not be left alone in the river, that is one of the main meaning of that story.”
Hipolito Novelo-Reporter
“How would you refute the claim that other make saying that it is not good to teach or to make kids learn superstitions?”
Yvette Torres, Coordinator BHOC
“Actually it is just a believe, it is not something that we are teaching them to believe in but this is what our ancestors believed in so it is just for them to know, I feel it is for us to know that this is part of our history, this is part of their daily living it is not that we should be superstitious but this is part of our culture.”
For narrator Libertad Cal, telling her stories to these bright young minds, gives her the opportunity to share what she inherited from her parents.
Libertad Cal, Narrator
“Esto son recuerdos que mi abuela me conto y yo lo estoy pasando ahora a ustedes, La Llorona es una persona de que siempre anda buscando algo en la orilla del creek porque ella piensa que un hombre le mato a sus hijos, le tiene odio a los hombres por eso yo siempre estoy contando este cuento para que se cuiden los niños y no anden a la orilla del creek.”
Hipolito Novelo-Reporter
“Que significa esta historia para los niños?”
Libertad Cal, Narrator
“Es algo de nuestra tradición, es algo que a mí me dejaron y yo no quiero que se olviden yo quiero que lo sigan que no se pierda y que lo sepan.”
According to Torres plans are for the folklore storytelling program to become an annual event.
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