The Influence of Urbanisation on the Decline of Storytelling in Zimbabwe . The role of the storyteller was an important on and telling stories to children provided a bond between generations. When the country emerged from colonialism it found itself in the anomalous situation of having to continue using English as its official language. In order to encourage Zimbabweans to preserve their own languages, storytelling has been encouraged in homes, churches, and children's centers. Storytelling brings parents and children together and is especially important in the large Zimbabwean families.
Stories help each child to feel loved and also help mold children into good citizens.
Since the 1970s there has been a dramatic decline in storytelling especially in urban areas. And the country has become increasingly urbanized. Electronic information is available in urban settings and that discourages storytelling. Television has become very popular and is an anti-social experience. Children sit passively in front of the screen.