Summary: In diversity, every now and then ‘bridges’ appear to make us aware of our similarities. Indeed, storytelling makes ‘magic’ connection between cultures.
Every culture of the world has customs, beliefs and values different to others. And, every country has its store of magical stories to tell. Diversity represents this global collective of humanity interacting together.
Ten-armed goddess
In Indian mythology, Goddess Durga is the warrior queen who rides into battle on a lion.
She carries in each hand a magical weapon powered by the gods. Her ten arms each represent a direction she covers in combat – N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, SW, up and down. Thus she rids the universe of demons and their tyrannical designs whenever the gods fail.
Reincarnates of Durga
Goddess Durga reincarnates in several different forms to play different roles within the ‘home’ and outside of it. All are equally revered and worshipped and culturally, each marks an important era of tradition.
She is the daughter of the Himalayan mountains and the original sylvan deity. Worship of the Earth Mother dates well over 5,000 years.
She is also consort to Shiva, Lord of the Universe, and the mother of four other deity – Kartik, the god of war, Ganesh, the god of wisdom, Lakshmi the goddess of wealth, and Saraswati the goddess of knowledge.
Harvest festival
The harvest festival in eastern India, called Durga Puja in her honour, runs for four or five days in autumn/fall each year. This is a celebration of the victory of good over evil that she achieves.
It's also a religious event that honours family and social relationships. Many of the rituals symbolize the worship of Nature and fertility and have been carried forward through the ages.
Housing the gods
Annually in every locality, larger-than-life clay images of gods and goddesses are housed in temporary eco-friendly structures called ‘pandals’ made of bamboo, cloth, papier-mâché and organic paint, where social get-togethers for the festivities also take place.
Where does the money for these elaborations come from? They’re random amounts of subscription/donation collected from local residents or supportive business houses. The objective is to facilitate the spirit of universal sharing, so public participation is always free.
Bridging cultures
In diversity, we quickly perceive our differences with others. But every now and then ‘bridges’ appear magically to make us aware of our similarities instead.
Indeed, ‘magic’ in storytelling fuels the global imagination! For example, the occult brews and magic portions, social and emotional hurdles, battles with incompetence and corruption, as woven into the Harry Potter saga, is a theme that people across the world identify with very well.
On this occasion in October 2007, a local festival committee hit upon highlighting this magic connection between cultures. They decided on replicating Hogwarts School in the housing structure for the images of Goddess Durga and her celestial family on their annual visit to earth, to also honour the worldwide popularity of the magic book series at the festival!
Cont’d 2…the storyteller's ROI
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