Mirar al pasado sigue siendo clave para entendernos | Nicolás Buenaventura, cuentacuentos

Mirar al pasado sigue siendo clave para entendernos | Nicolás Buenaventura, cuentacuentos

by Nicolás Buenaventura

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Science — General & History GReference, Information and Interdisciplinary subjectsGMOrality
🎙 Nicolás Buenaventura 👥 5.2M 📅 October 13, 2025 ⏱ 53 min 👁 44K 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-06
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

oral traditionstorytellingmythsAfrican griotsindigenous culturesmemorycommunitytransformationlisteningresponsibility

Summary

In this video, Colombian storyteller Nicolás Buenaventura shares his philosophy and experiences with oral storytelling. He begins with a traditional tale about the power of stories to avert tragedy, illustrating their enduring significance. He explains his practice of telling stories barefoot, symbolizing fragility and authenticity. He discusses his fascination with pre-Columbian myths, noting how indigenous languages and concepts of time offer alternative worldviews. He recounts his time in Africa, both in Colombia’s Pacific region and in Africa itself, where he learned about griots and the responsibility of the storyteller. He emphasizes that stories are nourishment and that one must be responsible for the tales told. He shares a story about a woman married to a river, illustrating how stories evolve and adapt across cultures. He reflects on the importance of endings, noting that many indigenous traditions avoid definitive endings, keeping stories open. He discusses the role of silence in storytelling, the difference between theater and storytelling, and the use of stories in education. He concludes by affirming that stories are essential for the future, as they preserve memory and foster understanding.

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Critical Evaluation

Nicolás Buenaventura’s presentation is a compelling and insightful exploration of oral storytelling as a cultural and personal practice. His expertise is evident through his rich anecdotes and deep engagement with diverse traditions, from pre-Columbian myths to African griots. The video’s strength lies in its authenticity: Buenaventura speaks from lived experience, having traveled and listened to storytellers across continents. His reflections on language, such as the gerund-heavy verb forms in some Colombian indigenous languages, offer a profound perspective on how linguistic structures shape worldviews. The story of the woman married to a river is a powerful example of how narratives can be adapted and re-signified across cultures, while retaining core emotional truths. His emphasis on the responsibility of the storyteller—that one is accountable for the stories told—adds an ethical dimension often overlooked in discussions of narrative. The video is not a formal academic lecture, but rather an expert opinion grounded in practice. While it lacks empirical data or citations, its value lies in the depth of personal insight and the preservation of oral traditions. The structure is coherent, moving from personal anecdotes to broader reflections on culture and education. The title is apt, as Buenaventura consistently argues that looking to the past through stories is essential for understanding ourselves and building a better future. The production quality is high, with clear audio and engaging delivery. The content is accessible to a general audience, but it also offers depth for those interested in anthropology, literature, or cultural studies. Overall, this video is a valuable contribution to the discourse on storytelling, memory, and cultural identity.

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Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, as the speaker emphasizes the importance of looking to the past through stories to understand ourselves and our world.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The video presents the personal expertise and reflections of a renowned storyteller, grounded in his extensive experience with oral traditions across cultures. While not a formal academic study, his insights are coherent and informed by direct engagement with diverse narrative traditions. The content is subjective but credible within its domain.

Chapters

Cited Sources

  • AprendemosJuntos on Facebook — Official Facebook page of the channel, where additional content and discussions are shared.
  • AprendemosJuntos Podcasts on Spotify — Podcast platform where extended interviews and related content are available.

Concurring Sources

  • Oral tradition — Supports the video's emphasis on the importance of oral narratives in preserving cultural memory.
  • Griot — Corroborates the description of African storytellers as keepers of history and community.

Contribution & Novelties

The video offers a unique perspective on oral storytelling as a living, transformative practice, emphasizing the ethical responsibility of the storyteller and the importance of listening. It bridges diverse cultural traditions, from indigenous American to African, highlighting common threads and adaptations.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Oral tradition — Provides a broad overview of the concept and its significance across cultures.
  • Griot — Details the role of West African storytellers and musicians, directly relevant to the video’s discussion.
  • Indigenous languages of the Americas — Explores the linguistic diversity and unique temporal concepts mentioned by Buenaventura.

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Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in quantity of information and reliability, reflecting the rich content and the speaker's credibility. The lower technical level indicates that the content is accessible to a general audience, while the quality of information is solid, grounded in personal experience and cultural knowledge.

Reliability 7/10