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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