We Are All Survivors: Verbal, Ritual, and Material Ways of Narrating Disaster and Recovery

We Are All Survivors is a collection of essays that explores the role of folklore in the aftermath of disaster, featuring contributions from scholars and disaster survivors. It offers insights and tools for navigating and narrating disaster, and considers the broader understanding of empathy and listening in ethnographic work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 06 September 2022
Publisher: Indiana University Press

The role of folklore in the discussion of catastrophe and trauma is profound and multifaceted. Folklore serves as a powerful tool for disaster survivors to articulate their experiences, navigate the aftermath of disaster, and find solace and meaning in the face of adversity. Survivors often use language, ritual, and the material world to express their emotions and convey their understanding of the disaster.

One of the key insights that folkloristics offers survivors is the recognition of the importance of storytelling. Folktales are a rich source of metaphor and symbolism that can help survivors make sense of their experiences and find meaning in the chaos. Folktales can provide a framework for survivors to organize their thoughts and emotions and give them a sense of control over the situation.

Another important aspect of folklore is its ability to promote empathy and understanding. Folktales often depict characters who face similar challenges to those faced by disaster survivors. By listening to and learning from these stories, survivors can gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of others and develop empathy for those who have been affected by disaster.

Furthermore, folkloristics can provide survivors with practical tools for navigating and narrating disaster and its aftermath. Folktales often contain wisdom and advice that can be applied to real-world situations. For example, many folktales feature characters who overcome adversity through perseverance, resilience, and the help of others. These stories can inspire survivors to keep going and to seek out support and resources to help them recover.

In addition to its role in the discussion of catastrophe and trauma, folkloristics can contribute to broader understandings of empathy and the roles of listening in ethnographic work. Folklore is often rooted in specific cultural contexts and reflects the values and beliefs of a particular community. By studying folklore, ethnographers can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural perspectives of disaster survivors and develop a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of disaster response and recovery.

We Are All Survivors is a collection of essays that explores the role of folklore in the wake of disaster. The book includes contributions from scholars from the United States and Japan who have long worked with disaster-stricken communities or are disaster survivors themselves. The individual chapters address Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Maria, and two earthquakes in Japan, including the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster of 2011. Adapted from a 2017 special issue of Fabula (from the International Society for Folk Narrative Research), the book includes a revised introduction, an additional chapter with original illustrations, and a new conclusion considering how folklorists are documenting the COVID-19 pandemic.

We Are All Survivors bears witness to survivors expressions of remembrance, grieving, and healing. The essays in the book provide a rich and diverse perspective on the role of folklore in the aftermath of disaster, and offer valuable insights and tools for survivors and those working in the field of disaster response and recovery.

In conclusion, folklore plays a crucial role in the discussion of catastrophe and trauma. Folklore provides survivors with a powerful tool for expressing their experiences, promoting empathy and understanding, and providing practical tools for navigating and narrating disaster and its aftermath. Folkloristics can also contribute to broader understandings of empathy and the roles of listening in ethnographic work. By studying folklore, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural perspectives of disaster survivors and develop more effective strategies for responding to and recovering from disaster.

Weight: 449g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253063755