What is Folklore?

1. What is Folklore? Folklore records the customs, traditions and beliefs of a culture. Folklore was originally passed down orally from generation to generation. Folklore is made up of folktales, arts and crafts, songs, games, dances and superstitions.

2. Folktales • Folktales are stories composed orally and then passed from person to person by word of mouth. Folktales record the customs, traditions and beliefs of a culture. The following are types of folktales: • Legends • Myths • Tall Tales • Fables

3. Legends • Legends are imaginary stories that were based on actual events or real people, but have been exaggerated over the years Examples: Johnny Appleseed John Henry

4. Myths • Myths are stories that explain how a natural phenomenon came about. These natural occurrences are usually caused by a supernatural being like a god or goddess. • Example: “Why the Waves Have Whitecaps”

5. Tall Tales • Tall Tales are set in the Wild West, the American frontier. The folk hero, or main character, performs amazing feats of strength or daring or solves problems. Tall Tales are often filled with humorous exaggerations. Example: “Pecos Bill: The Cyclone.”

6. Fables • Fables are brief stories, often with animal characters, that teach a lesson or moral. The moral is usually stated at the end of the fable. • Example: “Brer Possum’s Dilemma”

7. Folk hero • A folk hero is the main character in a folktale. • Examples: John Henry Pecos Bill Paul Bunyan