U.G. lecturer Michael Khan aims to rekindle appreciation for Guyanese folklore through the art of storytelling
By Venessa Deosaran
Children listening intently to 'Old man Pappie'
Michael Khan, who has an undying love for children and the arts, believes that in this industrialized age with high-tech computer gadgets traits of our cultural identity are constantly disappearing.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, he said that most of the youths nowadays have no understanding of their past and without understanding of Guyanese folklore their future will be emotionally limited.
“Having an understanding of our folklores, oral traditions, myths, legends and folk songs of all ethnic Guyanese groups, makes us appreciate ourselves better.
‘Saturdays with Anansi’ seeks to fill this void; children are introduced to folk legends such as Moongazer, Ole Higue, Massacuraman, Indian Jumbie, Kanaima and others. It introduces them to ‘mata’ and ‘pistle’, ‘fireside’, ‘jug lamps’ and will give them a greater understanding of how their ancestors used these simple objects to sustain themselves through everyday life. If we are to remember our ancestors we must talk about them and in so doing we are able to understand ourselves better,” disclosed Khan.
Khan explains to the children the use of a coal iron
The concept, ‘Saturday with Anansi, was born as part of Khan’s research on oral traditions, folklore, myths and legends of Guyana. He will be going on a three-month study leave and for his project, will focus on developing a greater awareness of self-expression through art among primary school children and using puppetry and dramatic story telling derived from oral traditions in four salubrious areas in Regions One, Two, Three and Four.
Acting as ‘Ole Man Pappie’, a storyteller dressed in old clothing and wearing a hat, Khan narrates the stories and teaches the children about “long ago” life. The first ‘Saturday with Anansi’ was held on March 31 in the conference room of the National Library. It will continue on April 14, 21, and 28 at the National Library from 10:00 hours. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
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