Supplemental Grants for the Collection of Oral Literature

[Nick Thieberger]

Supplemental Grants for the Collection of Oral Literature

Sponsor: Firebird Foundation

Contact Information
George N. Appell
PO Box A
Phillips ME 04996 USA
Email: firebird at tdstelme.net

Field(s) of Study: oral literature, indigenous peoples, endangered languages

Eligibility Requirements: Those with a Ph.D. in anthropology,
linguistics, oral literature studies or related disciplines; those in
a post-graduate program in similar disciplines; or those whose life
experience is equivalent. Also local organizations of indigenous
peoples or individuals that are collecting oral literature of their
own society are eligible.

Description
The unique oral literatures of indigenous peoples are rapidly being
lost through the death of the traditional practitioners and through
the schooling of the next generation. The Program for Oral Literature
of the Firebird Foundation has initiated a project to fund the
collection of this body of rapidly disappearing literature.

This literature may consist of ritual texts, curative chants, epic
poems, musical genres, folk tales, songs, myths, legends, historical
accounts, life history narratives, word games, and so on.

Supplemental funds are available to anthropologists and linguists
going into the field to support a collection of oral literature.

Grants of up to $10,000 will be made to applicants for purchasing
recording equipment and covering the expenses of collecting this
material. Applicants are encouraged, where possible, to foster the
development of local teams of collectors to continue the work of
recording these materials. Transcriptions of the recordings are
encouraged.

Application guidelines may be requested from the Firebird Foundation:
firebird at tdstelme.net.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Keywords: oral literature | indigenous peoples | endangered languages