Vanishing tradition of storytelling in the Punjab Pakistan

A story about storytelling

The Tradition of storytelling in human history

The tradition of storytelling is an integral part of every culture. It is said that folklore is primitive than the idea of cities in human civilization. man learned the art of communication. Storytelling was a valuable part of entertainment in the past. Throughout the evolution process in human history, the art of narrating events traveled with humans wherever they moved. The written symbols and carvings in an old cave reveal the stories and visual expressions of a primitive man about the events around him. But the tradition of oral storytelling surrounded more areas and served the human needs of entertainment and amusement in ancient times. Though, scientific advancement changed the mode of this great art but still folklore is the primary source of information on human history. This was the way of communication. Moral building of children and preservation and transferring of culture from one generation to another.

The tradition of storytelling in Punjab Pakistan

Punjab is an agricultural province in Pakistan, taking its name from five rivers of the land. In the Punjabi Language, five is called Punj, and water is called Aab so this gives a unique name to this province. Culturally sharing language and traditions with the Indian Punjab, the Punjab province of Pakistan has evolved many new cultural features after 1947. Being an agricultural area, Punjab is also called the granary of the East. Multiple dialects of the Punjabi language are spoken across the Pakistani Punjab. Storytelling is a common feature of society and literature in Punjab. Historical stories of the warriors, land, and culture emerge from the dynamics of Punjab. Agriculture, farming, and sometimes politics and farming are manifestations of stories in the Punjabi language. The tradition of storytelling in Punjab was widely revolving around three very common traditional modes.

1. The family tradition of storytelling by grandmothers and other elders of family-like other cultures in the world

2. The street storyteller usually using singing as their mode of storytelling

3. Storytellers on the shrines across Punjab

What was the importance of grandmother storytelling?

There was a time when listening to a story from grandmothers in the villages of Punjab was the only source of entertainment for children. This was the traditional way of engaging as well as training children. Through the words, children were taught the basics about society, family, and way of living. It was also a source to inculcate the basic values and importance of heritage. Usually, these stories were in the context of farming, bravery, and good moral values. These stories were also training for future endeavors. The tradition of storytelling was also a source to develop intimacy between grandparents and children. This was helpful to strengthen the family ties. We have heard the stories from our grandparents. Usually, in the mid of the night, grandmother used to tell us the story of the bravery of our people. This was a two-way communication as usually, we used to ask questions during or at the end of the story. It was a better way of socialization of children as children always listen to their peers and try to act upon their advice.

why the tradition of storytelling diminishing in Punjab Pakistan?

The urbanization process has disrupted the cultural pattern in Punjab Pakistan. It has changed the basic fabrics of society and the way of socialization. It has dented the concept of the joint family system. Educational and job opportunities urge parents to move away from their families and village. This sprawling of major cities increased the living cost. Urbanization had disintegrated the family system. Now in Punjab, the family structure is more inclined towards a single-family. Grandparents are residing back in villages and parents are busy in their jobs so, there is no one to entertain the children through folk tales.

Role of the internet and Cellphones

Children are now more habitual to use cellphones and the internet. It has become part of their daily routine. Internet is helpful in learning, connection, and entertainment but it deviates the children from traditional patterns of learning. Instead of finding time for listening to stories children are more interested in watching cartoons on youtube. Attractive videos, a variety of cartoon series, and other alluring elements on the internet wield children towards this colorful world. This technological advancement has widely disturbed the social structure of Punjab.

Street storyteller a forgotten chapter of Punjab's culture

Earlier in the street of Punjab bands of street storytellers used to roam in the streets. They were usually carrying drums and other musical instruments. They were versatile in telling the old traditional stories like Mirza Jatt, Sohni Mahiwal, and Heer Waris Shah. The choice of stories was sometimes according to the season as this was more a profession to earn a livelihood. Like in the harvesting seasons these storytellers were singing about the generosity of the farmers, for good harvesting and wealth. Similarly birth of the child was also a good occasion to earn the rewards from the kith and kins of the newborn baby by telling stories about their forefathers. Hustle in modern life has rooted out all these traditions of the Punjabi culture. Now it is a rare phenomenon that you find anyone singing traditional stories in the streets of Punjab Pakistan.

Vanishing charm of festivals and storytelling on Shrines.

Shrines were once a hub of cultural activities in Punjab. Usually, after the harvesting season festivals were organized on the famous shrines in the area. These festivals were the center of trade, festivity, and cultural development in Punjab. But rapid development has hugely decreased the attraction of these festivals. Along with other activities, famous singers used to come to these festivals to participate in story singing competitions. Many famous tales spread throughout Punjab through these festivals. But now this tradition is dimming day by day.

Last words about the tradition of storytelling in Punjab Pakistan

The development in the world especially in the area of science and technology has changed the pattern of many traditions across the world. Punjab province of Pakistan is also rapidly shifting from an agricultural province to an industrial one. This element of development has affected almost all spheres of life. Storytelling an old tradition is now less common in society and among families. But still, experts and educationists believe that implying the traditional storytelling method can enhance the learning ability of the students.

According to Alison Davies

We can use traditional tales as an introduction to a subject area and a way of engaging students, and we can create springboard tales, which are interactive stories where the students get involved in continuing the narrative and learning about the subject in the story.

This is the educational or learning aspect of storytelling. But it is a great cultural loss for millions of people of Punjab Pakistan. It is said that folklore is a great source of passing down cultural values and traditions. Stories and traditional storytelling is an important component of the culture. This great tradition of storytelling is slipping away from people. This should be again inducted in the society for keeping preserve the cultural memory of the society.