Mythology and Folklore PDF

Ralph Sevilla Gamit MYTHOLOGY AND FOLKLORE BSED-ENGLISH 3A FOLKLORE Folklore is the lore (stories, customs, beliefs) of a group of people that is passed down generationally, usually by word of mouth. Traditionally, folklore refers to the oration of...

Ralph Sevilla Gamit MYTHOLOGY AND FOLKLORE BSED-ENGLISH 3A FOLKLORE Folklore is the lore (stories, customs, beliefs) of a group of people that is passed down generationally, usually by word of mouth. Traditionally, folklore refers to the oration of narratives in the form of a story. Contemporary folklore encompasses many forms of creative expression such as folk art, folk song and dance, legends, myths, children's rhymes, and proverbs. Also, folklore serves to teach about and preserve the culture of the people, or folk, of which it speaks. As a collection of narratives about the culture and people from which the narratives originate, folklore has an essential role in passing on a culture groups' traditions. A folklorist studies the concept of folklore (folkloristics) including how culture groups create lore and how the lore iterates the group's customs and beliefs. Folkloristics focus on: Oral traditions (e.g. songs, poems, oral histories) Practices/ Performances (e.g. dance, holiday celebrations, religious traditions) Artifacts (e.g. fashion, foodways, and instruments) The term "folklore" was coined by the English antiquarian William John Thoms in 1846. Thoms suggested this term as a replacement for the then-common phrases like "popular antiquities" or "popular literature." The word "folk" refers to the people, and "lore" refers to the knowledge or traditions they share. NATURE OF FOLKLORE The nature of folklore is deeply connected to the communal and cultural life of a society. It reflects the values, norms, and beliefs of the community that creates and preserves it. Folklore is dynamic and adaptable; it evolves over time to accommodate changing circumstances while maintaining a core that represents a community's identity. Folklore is usually transmitted orally, though it can also be conveyed through customs, rituals, and other forms of cultural expression. It exists outside formal educational structures and is often learned through direct participation in the community. Folklore is typically anonymous, with no specific author, as it belongs to the collective rather than any individual. CHARACTERISTICS OF FOLKLORE 1. Oral Tradition: Folklore is primarily passed down through oral communication, although it can also be found in written and performative forms. This oral transmission makes it fluid and subject to change as it is retold by different individuals.  2. Collective Ownership: Folklore is the property of the entire community. It is created, adapted, and perpetuated by the collective, making it a shared cultural heritage. 3. Transmission Across Generations: Folklore is typically transmitted from one generation to another, with each generation potentially adding new elements or modifying existing ones to suit contemporary needs or conditions. 4. Cultural Identity: Folklore plays a key role in the formation and preservation of cultural identity. It reflects the values, beliefs, and practices that define a community or group. 5. Anonymity: The originators of folklore are often unknown, as it emerges from the community rather than from individual creators. The stories and traditions are typically attributed to "the people" rather than specific authors. 6. Functionality: Folklore serves various functions within a society. It can be didactic, teaching moral lessons or social norms; it can be entertainment, providing stories, music, and humor; and it can be ritualistic, playing a role in religious or ceremonial practices. 7. Adaptability: Folklore is not static; it changes over time to reflect the current realities of the community. This adaptability ensures that it remains relevant to each generation. 8. Symbolism: Folklore often uses symbolic language and imagery to convey deeper meanings, such as moral, spiritual, or social lessons. EXAMPLES OF FOLKLORE 1. Myths: Traditional stories that explain the origins of the world, natural phenomena, or cultural practices. Example: Greek mythology (e.g., the story of Zeus and the Olympian gods). 2. Legends: Semi-historical stories that often involve heroic figures or extraordinary events. Example: The legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. 3. Fairy Tales: Stories involving magical creatures, supernatural events, and fantastical adventures. Example: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty. 4. Proverbs: Short, commonly known sayings that express general truths or pieces of wisdom. Example: "A stitch in time saves nine." 5. Folk Songs: Traditional songs that are passed down orally and reflect the experiences and emotions of the people. Example: American folk songs like "This Land Is Your Land." 6. Rituals and Festivals: Ceremonial practices and communal celebrations that embody the beliefs and customs of a culture. Example: The Mexican festival "Día de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead). Folklore vs. Folktales Folklore and folktales are closely related but distinct concepts: 1. Folklore is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of cultural expressions, including stories, music, customs, and rituals. It represents the collective traditions of a community, passed down orally and through practice. 2. Folktales, on the other hand, are a subset of folklore. They specifically refer to traditional stories passed down orally that often involve moral lessons, adventures, or supernatural events. Folktales are narrative in nature, whereas folklore can include non-narrative elements such as customs and beliefs. How Folklore and Folktales Are Related Folktales are one of the many forms of folklore. They represent the narrative aspect of folklore, focusing on storytelling, while other forms of folklore might involve practices, beliefs, or customs. Both folklore and folktales serve similar functions within a society: preserving cultural knowledge, teaching values, and providing entertainment. They are both transmitted orally and adapted over time to reflect the changing needs and circumstances of the community. How Folklore Differs from Folktales Folklore is an umbrella term that includes all traditional cultural expressions, while folktales are a specific category within that broader context, limited to narrative stories. Folklore encompasses not just stories but also songs, rituals, proverbs, and other non- narrative forms of cultural transmission, whereas folktales are strictly storytelling traditions. REFERENCES: Difference Between Folklore and Folktale. (2015, June). DifferenceBetween.com. Retrieved August 23, 2024, from https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-folklore- and-vs-folktale/ Marsh-Hicks, H., Plummer, A., & Clayton, J. (2023, November). Folklore, Myths & Legends | Characteristics & Examples. Study.com. Retrieved August 23, 2024, from https://study.com/learn/lesson/folklore-mythology-examples.html How does mythology relate to folklore? Mythology and folklore are interrelated forms of traditional knowledge and cultural expression, but they occupy slightly different roles within the larger framework of communal traditions. Mythology refers specifically to a collection of myths—narrative stories that explain the origins of the world, natural phenomena, or the deeds of gods and heroes. These myths often serve a foundational role in a culture, helping to shape the worldview and belief systems of the community. Folklore, on the other hand, is a broader category that includes not only myths but also other forms of oral traditions, such as legends, folktales, proverbs, rituals, and customs. In this sense, mythology can be seen as a subset of folklore, where myths represent the sacred and cosmological aspects of a culture, while folklore encompasses a wider range of both sacred and secular traditions. For example, Greek mythology is a key element of Greek folklore, containing stories of gods like Zeus and Athena, and explaining the origins of the world and human existence. These myths are passed down through generations and form the backbone of Greek cultural identity. At the same time, Greek folklore also includes folk tales like those of Aesop's fables, traditional dances, and local superstitions that are not necessarily linked to the sacred realm but reflect everyday life and social norms. While mythology often deals with the divine and existential, folklore includes both the mystical and the mundane, thus enriching a culture's overall narrative and practices.