Cultural storytelling relays values, morals and beliefs of a particular society through stories. Certain societies want to pass on stories pertaining to their religion so that future generations will understand the struggles or miracles of their faith. This can be seen in Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. Native American Indians also pass along the stories of their culture to future generations so that their traditions will not be forgotten.
Gossip falls under the type of storytelling known as social storytelling. People gossip about everything from co-workers to celebrities. This form of storytelling comforts people and brings people together. Sometimes it gives people something to talk about instead of experiencing silence. Talking about other people and their problems helps individuals forget about their own problems for awhile. It can also help individuals find a new perspective on their lives.
Myths are stories that are presented as being true, but their authenticity is doubted because no one knows exactly where the stories originated. These stories are typically associated with cultural issues and provide reminders of what people should fear in life. Two common school myths, for example, involve professors scamming students on examinations or students hiding practice tests.
Telling stories about unexplained phenomenon such as ghosts, haunted houses or UFOs excite people. These stories help individuals conquer fear of the unknown. They also make it easier to believe in things that we do not understand, such as a higher spirit or faith. These types of stories also fill people with hope for something more than what they are currently feeling or know to be true.
Family stories preserve the history of a group of relatives. These stories are passed down from generation to generation to establish the identity of a certain group. They help family members learn about their ancestors and the reasons why, for instance, their family moved to a certain geographical location or why some family members chose certain occupations. The stories can be either positive and negative, but individuals will have the opportunity to learn from past experiences.
Friendship stories bring friends together as they recollect shared experiences. They help to prevent the individuals from growing apart once they establish different lives. These stories can be the centerpiece of a reunion, or they can just bring a laugh among friends.
Personal stories tell of an individual's life experiences. This is an important storytelling method because it can help an individual evaluate his life. The personal story can steer the individual toward making better choices in the future or change the direction of events by fixing a mistake from the past.