The Beast Had to Marry Balinda: Using Story Examples to Explore Socializing Concepts in Ugandan Caregivers’ Oral Stories

• Issue: Volume 28, Number 1
• Author(s): Geoff Goodman, Valeda Dent Goodman
• Article: View PDF | Download PDF
• Citation: http://journal.oraltradition.org/issues/28i/goodman

Abstract

Within the context of storytelling as oral tradition, this essay uses a grounded theory approach to explore a single research question about the socializing concepts found in examples of stories told to young children by their mothers and grandmothers in a rural Ugandan village. These story examples were gathered during the implementation of a socio-educational intervention project. This essay provides a descriptive analysis of the emergent themes and constructs in these story examples against the backdrop of a relevant theoretical framework and life in this rural Ugandan village.

eCompanion

The original Kitengesa Community Library, built in 2002.

Photo: Valeda Dent Goodman.

The new Kitengesa Community Library, built in 2009.

Photo: Valeda Dent Goodman.

A woman taking her cattle to pasture.

Photo: Valeda Dent Goodman.

Children carrying kindling for their households.

Photo: Karen Gubert.

Children carrying a chicken home.

Photo: Valeda Dent Goodman.

A few of the participants wait in the Library for the interviews to begin.

Photo: Karen Gubert.

The research team: Julius Ssentume, Geoff Goodman, Valeda Dent, Ssewa Baker, and Karen Gubert.

Photo: Kate Parry.

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