So, the story will speak of elder tribesmen and their traditions, and the ceremonial jewelry that they wear. These will have been passed down from generation to generation, and they carry with them not necessarily myths, but the tales of the elders themselves. The jewelry, because it is passed down to each subsequent generation, has great emotional significance, because it carries with it the stories of all who came before. The elders are the bearers of these tales, and of this tribal history. This is where the suggestions from the insights from Africa document will come in extremely useful. The story I tell will describe many of these traditions, with the added bonus of jewelry which creates a nice touchstone for the kids.
So, when the children create their stories, one will perhaps create a story about an elder hero of the tribe whose jewelry this was, another will create a coming of age ceremony (perhaps springboarding from the story of the hero, they will be able to work together of course), and another will create traditions for honoring elders based upon what they have learned, and on information from the books.
*Note we also have some PRIZED jewelry (mysterious) — These are hidden/marked(two for youngest groups –river tribe, and one for each of the older tribes…. HOW IS MARKED/IDENTIFIED? – will discuss tonight and get back to you… you can provide suggestions too… in fact its probably most important that you understand that as well as us…since you are the storyteller and drive the action.
PRECIOUS BEADS
Terry has some very earthy beads that you (Terry will be pointing out some of the characteristics and why these materials can have appeal to the kids)
but you need to come up with the STORY that goes with why those beads are there
1) There are shells that could be found by the river tribe (there may be 1 for each kid)… among the many other beads to be purchased
2) There are some that have a greenish stone in them – mountain tribe (maybe 1 maybe 2)
3) There are some lion claw looking beads that terry found that can be used by the river tribe (I think just 1)
There is also a pendant like position in the jewelry set. (I’m worried that you may not understand all this but please feel free to email terry and me especially
if you need clarification) or call.
Here’s some more themes/research into this that you can incorporate:
Elders and Youth (a fabric of society)
Posted on September 14, 2013
1. Looking at children and seniors as not just two opposite ends of the spectrum but actually two groups with much in common.
2. The first five years of life are when we soak up and learn everything, adulthood is spent trying to put all this information together, and then later in life it starts to unravel and can be analyzed—>wisdom
3. Emotional intelligence. Understanding your own emotional state so you can begin to understand it in others.
4 Some older people have a calm/settled feeling to them. we can learn from that. Some youth have excitement/optimism and enthusiasm… that can be infectious.