Bards Quote by Ben Okri
“The earliest storytellers were magi, seers, bards, griots, shamans. They were, it would seem, old as time, and as terrifying to gaze upon as the mysteries with which they wrestled .. (they) helped the community live though one more darkness, with eyes wide open, and with hearts set alight.”
About This Quote
The quote highlights how ancient storytellers—myths, seers, bards, griots, shamans—served as custodians of collective memory and guides through existential uncertainty, illuminating darkness with shared narratives.
In simple terms: Storytellers as cultural be.
Key Takeaway
Narratives give meaning in darkness.
Themes
mythology
cultural memory
spiritual guidance
community resilience
oral tradition
Mood
awe
reverence
hope
Type
philosophical
cultural
inspirational
When to use this quote
- tribal gatherings
- ritual ceremonies
- crises of meaning
- cultural transitions
- nighttime storytelling
Key Concepts
storytelling
collective identity
psychological coping
ritual
Practical Applications
- Preserving heritage
- Facilitating communal coping
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern media fulfill this role?
- What happens when stories are lost?
![“I used mythology to tell the story [in Living with Love], with the story of the minotaur and the matador and fighting and fighting for love and the color red and flowers and horns and death and naked men. You know, the important things in life.” quote by Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a7/madonna-ciccone-401_color_i-used-mythology-to-tell-the-story-in-li_2746965.jpg)
