SI MALLAKI ASTA TARUMPU: MULTILINGUAL STORYTELLING AND ITS POWER TO PRESERVE CULTURE
Throughout history, storytelling—whether oral or written—has served as a cornerstone for preserving traditions and cultures. By embedding practices, values, languages, and customs into compelling narratives, often enhanced with fantastical elements, these stories become not only memorable but also enjoyable to explore. In today’s increasingly globalized world, where one language often dominates at the expense of others, particularly indigenous and minority tongues, multilingual storytelling stands out as a vital solution for safeguarding cultural heritage.
“Si Mallaki Asta Tarumpu” by Vanessa Mae Empasis Segura is an illustrated children’s book that beautifully adapts the oral narration of Chieftain Matanam Bonifacio Embaan from the Bagobo Tagabawa community in Bitaug. This book stands out as an exemplary multilingual work, telling the myth of Mt. Apo’s origins in three languages: Bagobo-Tagabawa, Tagalog, and English.
The advantages of multilingual books include:
- Promote indigenous tales.
- Preserve indigenous and minority languages.
- Encourage cultural pride and identity.
- Bridge the past, present, and future generations.
- Spread awareness about indigenous cultures and their history.
- Helps in reaching a wider audience.
- Inspire children to cherish their unique culture and history.
In today’s world, technology has opened up vast opportunities for communication and sharing. Multilingual books are an excellent way to harness this potential. Social media offers countless platforms for stories to reach international audiences, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to appreciate the richness of indigenous cultures. With these books, readers can engage with the original language alongside English translations, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of these narratives.
Moreover, integrating multilingual books into schools and libraries is crucial. This initiative would expose younger generations to indigenous stories, enhancing their knowledge of the cultures and languages within their own country. By promoting these narratives, we can actively contribute to the global movement for cultural preservation and appreciation.
Multilingual storytelling can ensure these stories will continue to inspire and educate future generations about their culture and history, while safeguarding the linguistic and cultural heritage they represent. “Si Mallaki Asta Tarumpu” is not just a story; it is a living proof of the power of the oral storytelling tradition.
