Page 47 - AC/E Digital Culture Annual Report

represent di erent characters and plots. They usually train in a master-apprentice relationship within their own clans and families, although today outsiders are increasingly accepted for apprenticeship. As the Hezhen have no writing system, Yimakan plays a key role in preserving their mother tongue, religion, beliefs, folklore and customs. However, with the accelerationof modernization and the standardization of school education, the Hezhen mother tongueis now endangered. At present, only the elders can speak their native language. This loss has become a major obstacle to the promotion and sustainability of the Yimakan tradition. Only ve master storytellers are currently capable of performing the episodes – a situation aggravated by the deaths of a number of veteran storytell- ers, and the departure of younger generations to cities in search of employment.Naqqali, Irania dramatic storytelling from the Islamic Republic of Iran8Naqqāli is the oldest form of dramatic perfor- mance in the Islamic Republic of Iran and has long played an important role in society, from the courts to the villages. The performer – the Naqqāl – recounts stories in verse or prose accompanied by gestures and movements, and sometimes instrumental music and painted scrolls. Naqqāls function both as entertainers and as bearers of Persian literature and culture,and need to be acquainted with local cultural expressions, languages and dialects, and traditional music. Naqqāli requires considerable talent, a retentive memory and the ability to improvise with skill to captivate an audience. The Naqqāls wear simple costumes, but may also don ancient helmets or armored jackets during performances to help recreate battle scenes. Female Naqqāls perform before mixed audiences. Until recently, Naqqāls were deemed the most important guardians of folk-tales, ethnic epics and Iranian folk music. Naqqāliwas formerly performed in co eehouses, tents of nomads, houses, and historical venues suchas ancient caravanserais. However, a decline in the popularity of co eehouses, combined with new forms of entertainment, has resulted in diminishing interest in Naqqāli performance. The aging of master performers (morsheds) and the decreasing popularity among younger genera- tions has caused a steep drop in the number of skilled Naqqāls, threatening the survival of this dramatic art.Arts of the Meddah, public storytellers from Turkey9© 2010 & 2011 by Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO)Meddahlik was a Turkish theatre form performed by a single storyteller called a meddah and practiced throughout Turkey and Turkish-speak- ing countries. Through the ages, similar narrative genres have ourished due to interactionAC/E DIGITAL CULTURE ANNUAL REPORT 201747Smart culture. Analysis of digital trends