Busika, Nonkululeko Faith2016-02-222016-02-222016http://hdl.handle.net/10539/19667This qualitative research critically analyses storytelling as a drama therapy approach, with particular reference to resilience building through IintsomiIintsomi, an isiXhosa oral traditional storytelling method, among urban South African children. The research therefore enquires and demonstrates; in what ways IintsomiIintsomi as a method can be used to build resilience among young children with specific reference to grade 4 learners at Dumezweni Primary School in Diepkloof, Soweto. The overarching aim of the investigation is to propose storytelling as a method to be used to take care of the wellbeing of early developing children in societies that are affected enormously by social ills. It particularly casts light on the oral traditional storytelling method as an educational tool for building the skill of resilience. The methodology of this emperical research is founded upon the core principles of practice as research; this choice of method is as a result of the nature of the method of IintsomiIintsomi, which shifted with each session. The findings of the research are a collaborative process of practice and theory working together to answer the research question. The research as a whole provided a space where the children could listen, tell and reflect on their own stories. This research report consists of an exploration of IintsomiIintsomi, playback theatre and narradrama in chapter one. In chapter two, the reader is introduced to the possibilities of IintsomiIintsomi working with the urban South African child. Chapter three gives an expedition of IintsomiIintsomi as a drama therapy approach. The case study of the grade 4 learners at Dumezweni Primary School is captured in chapter four. Chapter five demonstrates the methodology applied to investigate the method of IintsomiIintsomi, followed by a consolidation of the themes and therapeutic results is in chapter six. Chapter seven concludes and gives recommendations for the research.enThesis