Stories, drawings and poems

Indigenous peoples and local communities make use of the oral tradition to transmit myths, sacred stories, legends, fables, proverbs, rhymes, songs, and tales, from one generation to the next. This oral literature constitutes a veritable library of knowledge and wisdom, with its own principles and values, along with practical information and advice on how best to live. The passage from the oral to the written form of these stories to describe our ICCAs is a natural step, and one that opens the way for a broader understanding of the distinctive origins of indigenous peoples. These are true sources of inspiration for the world as a whole. Here are some examples...