The Talking Stick (sometimes called Story Stick)

An Ingenious, and peacable, way to keep order

The Talking Stick comes to us from First nations Indiginous people.

From earliest times, First nations people have used a special decorated stick called a Talking Stick that is passed from person to person when they hold tribal meetings or other gatherings . The person holding the stick speaks and everyone else listens. Then it is passed to the next speaker. The Talking Stick is a symbol to all members of the tribe and held in great respect.

Today, the concept of the Talking Stick has evolved into the Story Stick used in many Storytelling venues. It helps the audience to focus and listen to the Storyteller and can also help others to get the courage to tell their stories in their turn  As the speaker completes their turn, they pass the object to their neighbour, who may speak or may choose to sit, in silence, and pass the stick on to the nearest neighbour.

In other cultures a similar object is used to this purpose.  This could be a conch shell, a pebble or other artifact depending on geographical area.

In Storytelling ideally everybody forms a seated circle shoulder-to-shoulder, so that they can see each other's faces, including those on either side of them. This becomes impractical for large circles and folks may be nested 3 or more deep so that everyone is close enough to hear.

Talking circle

A talking circle, is a method used by a group to discuss a topic in an egalitarian and non-confrontational manner. As previously said, this aspect is also used in Storytelling.  The rules are as follows:

Ø      Only the person holding a specific object, such as a Talking Stick, may speak.

Ø      An effort is made to listen as you would want to be listened to when you are speaking.

Ø      The Talking Stick passes around the circle

Some Storytellers fashion their own Story Sticks, and, ideally these reflect their own personalities.  On First nations culture websites there are numerous ideas suggesting type of wood to be used, particular colours to be used  and  decorative materials choice, such as feathers, beads, ribbons, etc. according to the nature of the user.

Following are images of Talking Sticks gleaned from online: 



                                             

I have set myself the pleasurable task of making my own story stick from a bare twig, and in upcoming blogs I shall take you along in the process.

Basic StickVarious materials