Folklore

Definition

Folklore refers to the collection of traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and practices that are passed down through generations, often reflecting the culture and identity of a community. It encompasses a wide range of expressive forms, including myths, legends, folktales, and rituals, serving as a means of preserving and transmitting cultural heritage. In the context of the supernatural and the uncanny, folklore often includes elements that blur the lines between reality and imagination, allowing communities to explore their fears, beliefs, and moral values through storytelling.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Folklore serves as a way for communities to connect with their past and maintain a sense of identity through shared stories and traditions.
2. Many folklore tales involve supernatural beings or events that reflect the cultural fears and values of the society from which they originate.
3. Folklore can vary widely between cultures, with each community developing its own unique narratives that reflect its specific environment and social structure.
4. The study of folklore often reveals insights into the psychological aspects of human experience, particularly regarding how societies confront the unknown or uncanny.
5. In many cases, folklore is not static; it evolves over time as new generations reinterpret stories in light of changing social or cultural contexts.

Review Questions

• How does folklore contribute to the understanding of the supernatural and uncanny within a culture?
  • Folklore provides insight into how cultures interpret the supernatural and uncanny by offering narratives that encapsulate shared beliefs and fears. Through tales involving ghosts, spirits, or mythical creatures, folklore serves as a lens for communities to explore moral dilemmas or existential questions about life and death. This connection emphasizes how folklore functions not just as entertainment but also as a means to articulate cultural anxieties surrounding the unknown.
• What role do legends play in shaping a community's moral values and cultural identity within folklore?
  • Legends are critical in shaping a community's moral values and cultural identity by offering stories that exemplify ideals such as bravery, wisdom, or justice. These narratives often involve heroic figures facing supernatural challenges that serve to reinforce societal norms. By embedding these values within captivating tales, legends help instill a sense of shared identity among members of the community while providing guidance on acceptable behavior and ethical decision-making.
• Evaluate how the evolution of folklore reflects changes in societal attitudes towards the supernatural over time.
  • The evolution of folklore showcases shifting societal attitudes toward the supernatural by revealing how narratives adapt to reflect contemporary concerns or cultural shifts. For instance, as scientific understanding progresses, many supernatural explanations may be replaced or reinterpreted in more rational terms. This ongoing transformation highlights how folklore not only preserves historical beliefs but also serves as a mirror for changing perceptions about what is deemed possible or acceptable within society, ultimately influencing how people engage with their own fears and curiosities about the uncanny.

Related terms

Mythology: A set of traditional stories that explain the beliefs and practices of a particular culture, often involving gods, heroes, and supernatural events.

Legend: A narrative that is based on historical events but has been embellished with supernatural elements, often serving to convey moral lessons or cultural values.

Oral Tradition: The practice of passing stories, customs, and knowledge from one generation to another through spoken word rather than written texts.