How does storytelling influence individuals, communities, and nations? How does the concept of “story” apply to contemporary methods of healing?

It keeps the story of the slaves alive. It allows them to know of a time before slavery. And after emancipation it allows the future generations to take pride in the survival of their ancestors under oppressive and hideous conditions.

Storytelling allows for the slaves (and others) to know themselves and their history from their pov.
Because written history is the history (storytelling) of the victor - this is the history usually presented to the world and presented as the truth.
It allows the enslaved people to be informed and to understand while your body may be enslaved your mind and soul can understand the truth.

I would argue that Granada doesn't fully become Gran Gran - doesn't fully achieve the recognition of her roots and cure herself of her soul sickness - until she tells the story to the young girl.

I think storytelling is a way to make sense of senseless circumstances. Storytelling helps us to understand our histories and to understand those around us. On the negative side, storytelling can "whitewash" atrocities.

Storytelling is a way for life to be remembered. This booik uses the technique very well. Many slaves never learned to read or write. Telling stories was the only way to move the history of a civiization from one generation to another. Listening to stories gives children an understanding of their hi8story.

Storytelling is how the community remembers...their lives before slavery, during slavery and after slavery. It is the glue that binds families and the community as a whole. As the newer generations become modern, they begin to forget the stories - their history. Sometimes on purpose and sometimes from carelessness. It is the stories that bring them back to each other and show them what they are as people.