The Poetry of the Bible and Oral Cultures

This month’s blog post is part of a series of distinctive applications of SIU’s Oral Bible Strategies as defined by our founders, Jim and Carla Bowman.

“April blossoms of lilacs and apricot trees highlight the landscape in rural Kyrgyzstan. On this third day of class, drama practice of the story of Deborah has just ended as Damira steps forward for biblical poetry recitation. Her round eyes glow as she begins to recite Deborah’s song from Judges:

‘Most blessed of women be Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite,
of yurt-dwelling women most blessed…’

In the large room her voice resonates beautifully. Listeners smile as they hear the Bible verses take on the flavor of their beautiful tent dwelling, nomadic culture….”