Shanta has been a professional storyteller for 24 years. While she is now experimenting with stories from other cultures and histories, she is known for her rich storytelling of African folk tales, myths and legends. She will be part of the Children’s Humanities Festival with “Stories and Songs of African People”; the session is noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 5 in Ogden School.
Q–How is storytelling a part of the humanities today?
A–Storytelling is definitely a part of the humanities since we first started communicating with one another. There has been a resurgence of storytelling because we need some balance today. Our imaginations don’t get as much exercise as they used to. Storytelling provides the kind of stimulation that we need.
Q–How can new technology aid in storytelling?
A–I just started doing an Internet radio show for storytelling. One other medium for it is using interactive CD-ROM to explore how you can take an ancient medium and use technology to reach someone who wouldn’t normally come out to hear a story.
Q–How can storytelling teach children?
A–I think that storytelling is extremely important to stimulating the imagination and helping children find ways to express themselves. Sometimes what they can’t put into words they can say with music or a painting. But public funding for music programs and arts programs is not nearly what it used to be.
Q–Does technology separate or unite a community?
A–I think it does both. With technology in our homes, it makes more of us less likely to go out into the communities than before. On the other hand, something like the Internet makes it possible to establish a relationship you would never come into contact with otherwise.
Q–What is your greatest accomplishment?
A–My greatest accomplishment is pretty much living my life on my terms. I have been living as a practicing artist and finding ways to turn my interests into a career.
I started [storytelling] by reading to my children, and that is when I realized that I was enjoying the stories more than they were. At some point people began offering me money to do this. I use a lot of musical instruments during my stories and expose them to sounds from other countries. I also involve audiences in the stories. It is a very interactive experience.
