THE STORYTELLER IN SOCIETY

Olaniyi, Isaiah Olabode

Department of English,

FCE, Katsina, Nigeria

E-mail: jemiricrown74@yahoo.com & olaniyiolabodea66@yahoo.com

Abstract

This study appraises the storyteller in society. It adopts definitions of the twin concepts of story and storyteller as a conceptual backdrop. From a folkloristic cum sociological perspective, the paper presents some examples of published stories and related research, discusses the relevance of the storyteller in society, threats to storytelling and the image of the storyteller in society. While acknowledging the fast ebbing existence of the storyteller of yore, the paper concludes that folktales remain an authentic living feature of the Nigerian culture.

Keywords:    Story, Storyteller, Folktales, Society, Nigerian Culture.