Kuna stories, myths, chants, and songs. From the gathering house to the internet

Abstract

This paper is an exploration of stories, myths, chants, speeches, and songs among the Kuna of Panama. I proceed autobiographically, presenting particular moments and experiences I have had in my investigations of the Kuna verbal world. I conclude with a discussion of tradition and change in Kuna verbal practices, what older forms continue to exist and what new possibilities are emerging, including a project I am involved in to maintain Kuna voices, by means of an Internet archive.