Week 5 Planning: Crossing the River

September 22, 2017

I chose this story after reading the example for the storytelling project. I looked at the story and it spiked my interest to do some research.

Link: Crossing The River

Banyan Tree- This is the kind of tree that the three take rest under for the night. As it turns out, Wikipedia had a lot information on it. One thing that I found really interesting is that is a tree that grows around an existing plant. It bears multiple fruits and can even be the home to many different species of birds. Even more fitting, it is the official plant of the Republic of India. I think that this displays its great cultural significance. Moreover, Wikipedia went on to have written that the tree is sacred in India, and it was a custom to take shelter under these sorts of trees. This makes since why Rama, Sita and Lakshmana rested here in the story.

Kosala Kingdom- “Driving fast for two days, Rama reached the boundary of Koshala, and, turning back toward Ayodhya, bade farewell to land and people.”

This kingdom is home to its Ayodhya. Rama's mother Kausalya was from this kingdom. As a result, Rama's sons Lava and Kusha inherited parts of the kingdom causing to eventually be split into two parts.

Matted Locks- “Lakshmana dressed their hair in matted locks, after the fashion of hermits dwelling in the forest.” Dreadlocks are seen in a variety of cultures for many different reasons. Illustrations of matted locks can be seen up to 3600 years ago. Spartans wore them as formal battle attire, Bhuddists wore them to “let go of moral vanity” and rastafarians got the idea to wear them from the Nazarites of the bible. The list really goes on and on. To create dreadlocks, one must neglect traditional hair maintenance such as brushing and shampooing. Wax is commonly used to accelerate the matting. Rama used starch paste according to the story.

These findings greatly enhanced the context for the story. It gives the story more depth in my opinion. In my story, I hope to have the detail that each of the topics in this passage have. However, I will have to do more research and be very thoughtful.