How Michael Khan found and embodied ‘Ole Man Pappie’

Educator, artist, storyteller and folklore researcher Michael Khan, 68, popularly known as ‘Ole Man Pappie’ conducts art workshops for primary and nursery teachers, tells stories of folk legends in schools and in open spaces in the city, around the Caribbean and among the diaspora in North America with the aim of assisting in preserving the country’s intangible cultural heritage.

In a few days’ time, Khan will begin visiting schools in Regions Three, Four, Five and Ten where he will share stories with pupils who have completed the National Grade Six Assessment.

“I teach art education at UG. Right now, I have 160 teachers doing my course. I’m trying to get teachers to introduce puppetry into their everyday lessons because some children are visual learners rather than auditory. Having a wide cross section of teaching techniques is good,” Khan told Stabroek Weekend in an interview at his home in Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

Khan restores old furniture like cabinets and Berbice chairs, is an artist and also a weaver.