Folklore Overview and Key Aspects

Study Notes

Folklore consists of stories, customs, and beliefs passed down generationally, primarily through oral traditions.
Encompasses various creative forms including folk art, songs, myths, and proverbs.
Serves to educate and preserve cultural heritage of a community.
Folklorists study folklore creation and its reflection on societal customs and beliefs.

Focus on oral traditions: songs, poems, and oral histories.
Includes practices/performance: dance, holiday celebrations, and religious customs.
Involves artifacts: fashion, cuisine, and musical instruments.

Coined by William John Thoms in 1846, replacing terms like "popular antiquities."
"Folk" denotes people; "lore" signifies shared knowledge or traditions.

Connected to communal and cultural life, reflecting community values and norms.
Dynamic and adaptable, evolving over time yet maintaining core cultural identity.
Typically transmitted orally but can also manifest through customs and rituals.
Exists outside formal education and often learned through community participation.
Lacks specific authorship; belongs collectively to the community.

Oral Tradition: Transmitted primarily through spoken word, allowing for fluid retelling.
Collective Ownership: Created and maintained by the community as a shared heritage.
Transmission Across Generations: Passed down, with potential modifications to adapt to contemporary contexts.
Cultural Identity: Plays a pivotal role in preserving and defining community values and beliefs.
Anonymity: Originates from community consensus rather than individual creators.
Functionality: Serves educational, entertainment, and ritualistic purposes.
Adaptability: Evolves to reflect the community's current realities.
Symbolism: Uses metaphorical language to convey deeper societal meanings.

Myths: Traditional stories explaining origins and natural phenomena (e.g., Greek mythology).
Legends: Semi-historical accounts involving heroic figures (e.g., King Arthur).
Fairy Tales: Fantastical stories featuring magic and adventure (e.g., Cinderella).
Proverbs: Short sayings conveying wisdom (e.g., "A stitch in time saves nine").
Folk Songs: Oral traditions reflecting communal experiences and emotions (e.g., "This Land Is Your Land").
Rituals and Festivals: Ceremonial practices that are integral to cultural identity.