An Ethnography of the Impact of Digitalization on Traditional Storytelling Practices in Pakistan

Abstract

Traditional storytelling has been an integral part of Pakistan’s historical legacy, serving as a means of communication, entertainment, and education. However, the dawn of digitalization has transformed the way stories are being told, shared, and consumed. This study explored how digitalization influenced traditional storytelling practices with a focus on intergenerational cultural transmission, early childhood socialization, and family dynamics. This anthropological research explores the broad impact of digitalization on traditional storytelling practices. Traditional storytelling was once a deeply ingrained oral tradition among our ancestors, but now it is facing challenges in this digital world. An ethnographic research methodology was chosen to explore the research problem that how digitalization and traditional storytelling interact in a rapidly changing culture. The objectives were to look at the ritual of traditional storytelling among older generations and how it helped children in early socialization and development. It also looked at the problems that digitalization brings to traditional storytellers and the preservation of cultural heritage. This digital ethnography facilitated a deep exploration of the dense relationship between digitalization, traditional storytelling, and cultural transmission in Lahore, Pakistan. Using purposive sampling, participants were selected from multiple generations, including grandparents and parents who actively engage in storytelling and have access to digital devices. Data was collected through participant observation in joint family system, case studies and in-depth interviews were conducted with 9 parents and 6 grandparents. These interviews, alongside observational data, captured generational perspectives and provided valuable insights into how storytelling practices are evolving in the digital age. The study revealed that digitalization has diminish the traditional storytelling practices across generations. This shift has also reduced family time, communication, and the bonds between grandparents and children, resulting in a generational gap. Informal post-dinner gatherings offered a platform for shared family moments, and storytelling served as a bridge between generations. The shift from oral storytelling to digital stories, weakens family bonds. The research also explored the role of traditional storytelling in children’s early socialization and cognitive development. Additionally, traditional storytelling is perceived as a way to transmit culture. Children can understand and remember morals conveyed by elders through stories, such as kindness, honesty, and empathy, which also aid in identity formation. Digitalization also affects the preservation of cultural heritage. The potential of digital platforms has increased accessibility to stories and promoted cultural knowledge. The shift to digital media has weakened traditional storytelling by decreasing attention spans, limiting face-to-face interactions, and reducing cultural authenticity. It has also expanded the digital divide between generations. To preserve oral traditions, there is a need to balance technological adoption with cultural preservation. Innovative approaches that combine traditional storytelling with digital media could help sustain cultural heritage while engaging younger audiences in meaningful ways. The findings indicate that, while digital platforms are essential for cultural transmission and identity formation, they have also reduced oral storytelling and weakened intergenerational bonds. The results emphasize the need for a balanced strategy that combines digital tools with traditional storytelling methods to maintain cultural continuity and transmission. By examining the complex relationship between digitalization and conventional storytelling, this research provides valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of preserving cultural heritage in a rapidly changing urban environment.