The Role of Folklore in Societal Bonding and Moral Education
Introduction:
Folklores are
customs, beliefs, tradition, stories, proverbs and saying in a particular society and a cultural group which
have been passing orally from generation to generation. They are not in written form. Folklores are in many
forms like fairy tales, fables and myths. Here we should also know about the difference between folklore and
myth. Folklore is the stories, customs and beliefs in a particular society and culture which have been coming
orally from generation to generation. On the other hand myth is a story that explores the origin of a particular
culture. In fact it is a religious story which is also full of moral lessons. Its main aim is to make the people
of a particular religion aware of the evil deeds.
Folklore
encompasses the traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and practices of a community. It plays a vital role in societal bonding and moral education, providing a shared framework for understanding the world and guiding behavior.
Societal Bonding:
Folklore fosters a sense of community and
belonging by linking individuals to a common cultural heritage. The sharing of stories, songs, and
customs reinforces social bonds and creates a collective identity."Folklore is the glue that holds a community together,
binding its members through shared traditions and values."
(Dundes, Interpreting
Folklore). "Through the telling of tales, people reaffirm their connections to one another and to their cultural past." (Bascom, Four Functions of Folklore)
Folklore rituals, such as festivals, dances, and storytelling sessions, provide
opportunities for
communal participation and celebration, strengthening
social cohesion. Folklores represent the culture and
tradition of our society. It is a mirror to our societal values and culture.
Moral Education
Folklore serves as a vehicle for moral education,
transmitting ethical
principles and
societal norms across
generations. Folktales
often contain
moral lessons
that teach
right from
wrong and
promote virtues
such as
honesty, bravery,
and kindness. "Folktales are didactic tools, embedding moral lessons within engaging narratives."
(Thompson, The
Folktale)
"Through folklore,
societies impart their values and codes of conduct to the young."
(Brunvand, The
Study of
American Folklore)
Folktales such as Aesop's fables use animal characters and simple plots to convey timeless moral truths, making them accessible and memorable for audiences of all ages. Folklores impart an effective moral education without any
discrimination of religion or emotion. It does not hurt anyone’s emotion on the basis his or her beliefs.
Infact folklores justify culture and its rituals. They provide a justification for those who follow the rituals
and traditions in a particular society. Folklores are full of moral lessons and because of this they uplift men
morally. They teach us what is wrong and what is right. They also teach us about the difference between good and
evil and also about the side effect of the evil deeds. Thus, in this way, they keep us far away from the evil
deeds.
Even in our modern
age there are many countries where the art of telling stories has become profession. There are many professional
story tellers who tell the story orally to an audience who are interested in their culture and traditions. A lot
of people gather at one place and the story teller tells them the stories which highlight their old culture and
traditions. In this way the people enrich their knowledge of their culture and traditions.
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