Introduction to Folklore

F101 Introduction to Folklore

Folk Group and the Individual

Some relevant terms:

1) Folk Group: (from Alan Dundes) Any group of people whatsoever who share at least one common factor (and has some traditions it calls its own).

2) Culture: the customary beliefs, verbal expressions, social forms, and material objects of an identifiable group of people.

3) Identity: (There are many definitions—two important ones are): a) the condition of being the same with something described, and b) the distinguishing character or personality of an individual.

4) Stereotype: a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment (usually about another group of people)

5) The esoteric-exoteric factor: What we think about them, what they think about us, what we think they think about us, what they think we think about them, etc.

6) Cultural Thumbprint: the unique set of folk groups that collectively contribute to an individual’s repertoire of active and passive folklore.

7) Passive bearer: (from Kenneth Goldstein) One who knows but no longer uses an item of folklore.

Folklore and Creativity

Some relevant terms and concepts:

1) The Twin Laws: (from Barre Toelken) A description of the folkloric process of transmission and variation whereby some elements remain the same and others change.

2) Conservatism (Tradition): A process of retention of culture already present in a group; the first half of the twin laws

3) Dynamism (Innovation): A process of alteration of culture; the second half of the twin laws.

4) Bricoleur: (from Claude Lévi-Strauss) One who creates objects from “things at hand.”