Research Grants for the Documentation of Oral Literature and Traditional Ecological Knowledge

The Firebird Foundation is offering Supplemental Research Grants aimed at preserving the unique oral literature and traditional ecological knowledge of indigenous peoples, which are at risk of disappearing due to modernization. This initiative encourages the documentation of various forms of oral literature, such as myths, folk tales, and songs, along with traditional ecological practices like hunting techniques and agricultural knowledge. These grants support community-based projects that ensure the continuation of these cultural legacies.

The unique oral literature and traditional ecological knowledge of indigenous people are rapidly being lost through modernization and the increasing deaths of elders and traditional practitioners. The Firebird Foundation is offering Supplemental Research Grants for the Documentation of Oral Literature and Traditional Ecological Knowledge to encourage the collection of these rapidly disappearing art forms and body of scientific knowledge.
Oral literature may include:

• Ritual texts
• curative chantsepic poemsmusical genresfolk talessongsMyths
• legendshistorical accountslife history narrativesword games
• Traditional ecological knowledge includes:
• Agricultural practices
• Hunting techniques
• Animal migration patterns
• Astronomy insights, etc