Oral Tradition Folklore

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Oral Tradition - Folklore
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Folklore Traditions and customs that
people pass from generation to generation, such
as stories, dances, games, arts, crafts, and
celebrations.
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True Folkloreexisted in more than one time or
place and has more than one version.
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Folklore
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Oral Tradition/Folklore

• A story originally composed orally, then passed
  person to person by word of mouth.
• Many were published as printed literature, and
  rewritten in a variety of forms.
• They reflect the culture, environment, knowledge,
  wisdom, social practices and beliefs of the
  people who first told them.
• Includes fables, myths, tall tales and legends,
  and traditional fairy tales

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Fablesare mostly animal stories that teach a
lesson or moral.
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Fables

• Teaches a moral or lesson
• See Aesops fables
• Animals are usually characters
• They succeed or fail in response to their ability
  to be quick-witted.

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Fairy Tales often tell about the adventures of a
hero or heroine.
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Fairy Tale

• A fanciful story written for, or told to,
  children.
• Usually contains at least one supernatural
  element (magic, dragons, elves, ghosts,
  hobgoblins, witches, etc.).
• Most fairy tales are based on the traditional
  folklore of a specific culture.

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Legendsoften tell tall tales about a character
who may or may not have been a real person.
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Legends - Tall Tales

• Usually refer to individual characters
• Tells the story of a hero
• (legends) based on truth, these have often been
  embellished over time
• Such as Johnny Appleseed, King Arthur, or Daniel
  Boone

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Mythsdescribe the creation of natural
occurrences and are often told as though they are
true.
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Myths

• Explains the origins of
• Human and superhuman characteristics (such as
  Greek gods)
• Natural or supernatural phenomena
• Teaches a lesson or spiritual truth

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Common Themes in Folklore

• Youngest - smallest sibling is successful -
  others fail
• wishes granted
• magic objects are standard props
• animals talk
• monsters appear
• use of trickery
• number 3 significant 4 in Native American
• a poor person becomes rich

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What will be your favorite folk tale?
Beauty and the Beast
The Ugly Duckling
Coyote
Paul Bunyan
Library Lil
John Henry
William Tell
Rumpelstiltskin
The Tortoise and the Hare
The Princess and the Pea
Why the Tides Ebb and Flow
Ask Your Librarian to Help You Choose!