Lesson 3 Testimonio

LESSON 3: Testimonio

TESTIMONIO A statement in support in support of a particular truth, fact, person or claim. An autobiographical narrative where the author was present during or experienced first hand human right abuses, violence, war or lived under conditions of social oppression.

Authors that have experienced living in these situations are ables to articulate a point of view that other authors cannot. Testimonial literature is a form of expression

It is based on what the author witnessed, and/ or livedthrough therefore it was a way in which they could express their opinions or views on the current political situation. It is personal, and the topic of it has real significance and relevance to the author writing about it.

Examples of testimonial narrative

Biografia de un Cimarron (Biography of a Runaway Slave) - by Cuban Miguel Barnet (1966)  a story of Esteban Montejo, a Cuban man of Africa  tells the hardship as a slave-fugitive slave  soldier during the Cuban war for Independence.  the story of an individual belonging to a marginalized group, while others work as an even greate social call to criticize and publicize the wrong doings of a social class or political movement.

I, Rigoberta Menchu - edited by Elisabeth Burgos- Debray

 awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for her efforts to end oppression on the indigenous people in Guatemala.  a young Guatemalan Quiche Indian woman and the tragic experiences Indian communities in Latin America, dealing with military oppression, moral endurance and the struggle for justice.  to tell the story of a marginalized group, and call for awareness and global conciousness of the oppression and violence committed to these groups.

Format of testimonial narrative

It has no fixed structure or format -- while it is largely narrative, it may come in almost (letters, oral histories, songs, etc.) The language does not have to be standard and may not follow the strictures of the traditonal narrative. That length may be as long as a book or as a brief as a one-or-to paraghraph letter.

What REALLY matters is the author's experiences of abuse, poverty and exploitation are brought to public attention so that they may be adressed adequately.

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