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Storytelling: Metaphor and the *education of the Kiowa tribe

Darryl Parker Tonemah, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find the meaning of storytelling as attributed by storytellers within the Kiowa tribe. This study is categorized as a phenomenology using qualitative methodology. The population consisted of twelve Kiowa storytellers. The storytellers were chosen using purposive sampling and snowballing. The instruments in the research were the researcher and six open-ended questions. Personal interviews were conducted with the participants. The literature review included information form several disciplines including; psychology, sociology, and literature. Several of storytellers shared various areas of expertise or knowledge. The results of the study indicate several emerging themes when delineating the meaning of storytelling. Themes that emerged were: teaching and education, empowerment, creating a historical community with the tribe, building bridges between generations within a family, acknowledgement of the responsibility of the listener, and the value of the passage of time. The themes combined to create an overall meaning of storytelling. A concluding chapter explores the value of storytelling in the field of psychology and education. Throughout the study, storytelling is offered as an alternative methodology of teaching or counseling. Particularly to those of Native American heritage.

Subject Area

Educational psychology|Minority & ethnic groups|Sociology

Recommended Citation

Tonemah, Darryl Parker, "Storytelling: Metaphor and the *education of the Kiowa tribe" (2002). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI3074106.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI3074106

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