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: Paperback / softback
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 folklorists can offer survivors is the understanding of the cultural and historical context in which disasters occur. Folklore is often deeply embedded in a community's identity and values, and it reflects the experiences and beliefs of those who have lived through previous disasters. By studying folklore, survivors can gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural factors that contributed to their disaster and how they can use this knowledge to inform their response and recovery.

Another important aspect of folklore is its ability to provide a sense of community and belonging in the aftermath of disaster. Folklore often tells stories of resilience, courage, and perseverance in the face of adversity. By sharing these stories and participating in rituals and ceremonies that are associated with folklore, survivors can connect with others who have experienced similar trauma and find a sense of solidarity and support.

Folklore can also provide survivors with practical tools for navigating and narrating disaster and its aftermath. For example, many traditional folktales and myths contain messages about preparedness, resilience, and the importance of community. By incorporating these messages into their recovery efforts, survivors can increase their chances of survival and recovery.

In addition to its role in the discussion of catastrophe and trauma, folklore can also contribute to broader understandings of empathy and the roles of listening in ethnographic work. Folklore is often characterized by its emphasis on storytelling and the importance of listening to the voices of others. By studying folklore, ethnographers can gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which people communicate and express their emotions, and how these expressions can be used to build empathy and understanding between different cultures and communities.

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 they offer valuable insights and tools for survivors, scholars, and policymakers alike.

In conclusion, folklore plays a crucial role in the discussion of catastrophe and trauma. By providing a cultural and historical context, offering a sense of community and belonging, and providing practical tools for navigating and narrating disaster, folklore can help survivors find solace and meaning in the face of adversity. Folklorists can also contribute to broader understandings of empathy and the roles of listening in ethnographic work by studying the ways in which people communicate and express their emotions through folklore.

Weight: 281g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253063762