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The Cultural and Historical Importance of Folklore Around the World

Malak Laaguiby

Global Connections

Lindsey Clouser

December 14, 2020

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Table of Contents

Table of

Contents……………………………………………………………………………………………2

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Limitations…………………………………………………………………………………………………5

Literature

Review…………………………………………………………………………………………….6

Genres of

Folklore…………………………………………………………………………………..6

Trends of

Folklore…………………………………………………………………………………...7

Discussion……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Defining

Folklore…………………………………………………………………………………...8

Mythology…………………………………………………………………………………………..9

Legends.…………………………………………………………………………………………....11

Fairy tales and

Fables………………………………………………………………………………12

Importance of Oral Tradition (Songs, Sea Shanties,

etc.)​…………………………………………..14
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Cultural and Historical Importance of

Folklore​……………………………………………………15

Lore in

Morocco​…………………………………………………………………………………...16

Lore in the

Philippines​……………………………………………………………………………..17

Conclusion​………………………………………………………………………………………………….1

References

………………………………………………………………………………………………….19

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify how history and culture within different regions impact

the folklore of those areas. This study seeks to answer the question: How does the history and culture of

different regions impact the archetypes within folklore and influence its significance to society? The goal

is to analyze the similarities and differences in archetypes present in folklore as they relate to history and

culture; while also delving into the importance of lore over boundaries and time.

Folklore, whether oral or written, experiences change in relation to the development of history

and culture; both of which influence common trends presented in fairy tales, legends, myths, etc.
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Folklore, according to Phurailatpam Jayalaxmi, not only provides the basis for many distinctive

communities around the world but it also maintains and reinforces traditional beliefs and customs

(Jayalaxmi 2010.) This traditional form of storytelling has survived the “test of time” by adapting to

changes and taking on different mediums. Alan Dundes, in ​The Study of Folklore​, proves how folklore

has experienced constant reformation in order to preserve the cultural aspects they demonstrate ​(“What is

Folklore? – Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library (SSHEL) – U of I Library,” 2019​.) Genres of

folklore include material culture, music, narrative, verbal art, and belief and religion ​(“What is Folklore?

– Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library (SSHEL) – U of I Library,” 2019​.)

This research revolves around discovering how history and culture, as they develop and spread

overtime, impact the patterns and structures of folklore. The importance of folklore to the upholding of

culture and history will also be addressed.

Introduction

Globally, folklore sustains a heavy presence among members of traditional society and within

modern culture as stories are passed from generation to generation. Folklore is part of the foundation

which holds many communities together; even as lore experiences change over time, it continues to have

valid cultural significance. Therefore, this research will answer the question, “What is the historical and

cultural significance of folklore and what archetypes are commonly used within certain regions such as

the Philippines, Morocco, and the United States?”

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The research presented will explore the importance of different genres of folklore in relation to a

country’s history and culture; whether this is shown in tribal, rural, or urban settings, the lore studied will

address the significance of certain trends and patterns in the literature and spoken language. The material

will discuss how folklore, in its many variations, influences life and tradition. Moreover, this research will

also cover the diffusion of folklore over separate cultures, across boundaries, and through time. The

practice of storytelling has experienced evolvements and adopted nuances from across the globe; as such,

trends and patterns within different genres of folklore have been heavily influenced by cultural traditions

and historical events. Studying folklore and its many variations serves the purpose of identifying the

importance of lore as it relates to cultural identity and time. The connections between these subjects help

to determine the origins of certain beliefs, traditions, and how they have diffused over time.

Limitations

Bias:

The researcher had a biased view of the overall topic as shown by the use of articles and

quotations which support the researcher’s belief that lore is a significant aspect of culture and history.
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Review of Literature

Genres of Folklore:

Folklore as a form of literature presents in many different mediums such as folktales, legends,

myths, folk dance, etc.; all of which contribute to the preservation of cultural identity (Dundes 1965). As

stated in the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress, the genre of material culture comes in

artwork and vernacular architecture which places a focus on textile understanding of the material used and

by what groups of individuals (Library of Congress 2010). This genre emphasizes the use of physical
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material in order to showcase “symbolic” and “aesthetic'' cultural stories (Library of Congress 2010). This

use of “traditional expression” is seen in tattoos, sculptures, carvings, murials, etc.; for instance, The Blue

Ridge Parkway Folklife Project Collection, details the quilting tradition of rural groups that border

Virginia and North Carolina (Library of Congress 2010.) This form of folklore, while not directly written

or verbally expressed, still demonstrates an example of cultural preservation considering that the

symbolism of these products reflects traditions and values of certain communities. The genre of folk

music is typically taught within a tribal or family unit and often reflects on religion and social occasion

(Library of Congress 2013). These themes are presented in the music through metaphors, symbolism, and

allusions; then the songs are passed on from generation to generation, experiencing change and revival on

the way (Library of Congress 2013). According to Elliott Oring, narrative folklore is typically didactic in

the sense that it is used to communicate experience and emotion (Oring). The significance of narratives

lies in the fact that they are used to teach younger generations morals and traditions, both of which

arguably change with time and historical events. Verbal/oral art, as stated by Lauri Harvilahti, is based on

the traditions of cultural communities and passed on through storytelling and rumors/gossip (Harvilahti

2007.) Despite becoming less frequent, oral tradition is culturally important in regards to psychological

and linguistic characteristics of specific communities where this form of folklore still prevails (Harvilahti

2007). Verbal art has been impacted by demands of newer generations for quick and easily accessible

tales; furthermore, oral stories are altered from person to person as perspective shifts and cultural ideals

change or merge. Belief and religion as they relate to folklore have been studied on their effect and

function in human life by individuals such as ​Associate Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sever (Sever.) This form

focuses on the development of “moral principles in the direction of purposes,” which reiterates the

argument that folklore holds cultural importance seeing as how it greatly influences the thought processes

of many communities and individuals (Sever.) However, aspects of this evidence could lead to the

conclusion that folklore has more of an impact on culture and history than the other way around.

Trends of Folklore:
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Within oral and written folklore, there are specific trends that present themselves in the plot,

character motive, conflict, cliches, etc. As claimed by Harold Neemann, trends in folklore can be split into

separate sections including “mythological motifs, mythical animals, magic, and marvels” (Neemann

2007.) Folklore typically incorporates these sections in order to portray a certain message or moral of the

story. Mythological motifs are typical reasons or questions which encourage the focus of the tale to

continue their quest; common motifs include mystery religions and god (Neemann 2007). Different

cultures practice the worship of separate gods which further distinguishes one myth or legend from

another; arguably, culture heavily inspired motifs based on tradition, values, and beliefs. Mythical animals

often appear in mythology and folklore narratives, popular creatures include: dragons, mythical birds,

pegasus, etc. (Neemann 2007.) The subject of magic can vary as it relates to folklore through magical

powers such as invisibility, flight, transformation, etc. (Neemann 2007.) Marvels include otherworldly

creatures who do not fit into the mythical animal category such as fairies and spirits (Neemann 2007).

Certain cultures believe in a stigma surrounding magic and all things related, therefore one could argue

that their culture and history with the matter influences the trends in their folklore.

Discussion

Defining Folklore:

According to Literary Terms, “Folklore refers to the tales people tell – folk stories, fairy tales,

“tall tales,” and even urban legends” ​(“Folklore: Definition and Examples | LiteraryTerms.net,” 2016.)

Lore comes in many different mediums and genres whether they are expressed vocally, with words, or art.

Archetypes on the other hand, as defined within ​Culture, Religion, & Myth: Interdisciplinary Approaches,​
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are “a set of universal and elemental mental forms or patterns—e.g. recurring narrative plots, patterns of

action, character types, images—found in a wide variety of the world’s literary and oral traditions, myths,

dreams, and ritualized modes of social behavior” (“Culture, Religion, & Myth: Interdisciplinary

Approaches,” 2010.) These two terms go hand in hand considering that nearly all folklore follows a

certain archetype, a trend which has been consistent over time and culture.

In Alan Dundes’ essay, ​What is Folklore?​, he refers to folklore as “constantly being created and

recreated to suit new situations” ​(“What is Folklore? – Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library

(SSHEL) – U of I Library,” 2019​.) His definition supports the idea that lore is adaptable and ever present

in modern day society. Folk, as a cultural staple, can refer to “any group of people whatsoever who share

at least one common factor...it could be a common occupation, language, or religion-but what is important

is that a group…have some traditions that it calls its own” ​(“What is Folklore? – Social Sciences, Health,

and Education Library (SSHEL) – U of I Library,” 2019​.) This establishment of a personalized tradition is

what helps make folklore so prominent in certain communities; this is supported in Phurailatpam

Jayalaxmi’s article, ​Folklore Study and its importance​, as she covers the concept of group and ethnic

identity as they relate to better individual understanding and “reconstruction” of ancient beliefs and

practices (Jayalaxmi, 2010.) Lore, as it stands in modern times, is a link between the way humans exist

currently and how they survived in early times.

Mythology:

As mentioned within ​Culture, Religion, & Myth: Interdisciplinary Approaches​, “Even when a

culture no longer believes that its myths are true explanations...these stories often survive as receptacles

of important cultural values​" (“Culture, Religion, & Myth: Interdisciplinary Approaches,” 2010.)

Evidently, the importance of myths does not rest in reality but within the culture of many ancient tribes

and communities; despite newfound understandings of the world, myths are still relevant within current

society considering the amount of tradition and history they hold.

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Myths, as defined by writer and editor Jen Rassler, are ancient stories told or written by

storytellers as a way of explaining things that were otherwise unexplored at the time (Rassler, 2008.) All

cultures exhibit the use of mythology as “an important human creative activity” (“Culture, Religion, &

Myth: Interdisciplinary Approaches,” 2010.) The act of myth-making has been used by many groups as a

way to explain their beliefs and tell stories that provide “valuable insight” as to “how people perceive and

think about their world” (“Culture, Religion, & Myth: Interdisciplinary Approaches,” 2010.) The

unexplored and unexplained aspects of the world during ancient times were major contributors to the

creation and diffusion of myths; the urge to provide reason behind events such as weather or death further

encouraged the establishment of this storytelling art.

As expressed by Jessica Mellenthin and Susan O. Sapiro in ​Mythology Unbound: An online

Textbook for Classical Mythology​, mythology exists as a subject of theoretical study which can be divided

into three categories; however, the complexity of mythology cannot be overlooked and many myths

branch out of these basic groups​ (Mellenthin & Sapiro, 2019.)​ Firstly, aetiological/etiological myths

produce non-scientific explanations for day to day occurrences; aetiological myths are further divided into

three subtypes--nature, religion, and etymology (Mellenthin & Sapiro, 2019.) Natural aetiological myths

explain weather phenomena, such as lightning storms which are attributed to the greek god Zeus

(Mellenthin & Sapiro, 2019.) Religion based myths give ground to certain rituals and practices, for

instance the establishment of temples which worship a number of different gods/goddesses and the act of

leaving sacrifices to appease said gods is a common theme within mythology (Mellenthin & Sapiro,

2019.) In particular, etymology based myths strive to explain the origin of words, such as the name of the

greek goddess Aphrodite which is derived from the greek word “aphros” meaning sea-foam (Mellenthin

& Sapiro, 2019.) Aetiological mythology ultimately exists to rationalize and define historical and cultural

aspects of daily life. On the other hand, historical myths portray noteable events in time; although this

type of mythology takes into account real individuals and historical events, “the accuracy is lost” in place

of meaning or value (Mellenthin & Sapiro, 2019.) Moreover, psychological myths give purpose and

reason to emotional matters such as the way one feels or acts. These tales would explain why some
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individuals acted or said certain things by holding a “divine force” responsible for making them act in

such a manner; aphrodite, goddess of erotic love and beauty, was often used as a method for ancient

greeks to make sense of their actions in regards to love and beauty (Mellenthin & Sapiro, 2019.)

Mythology has many​ recurring themes and archetypes that transcend cultural boundaries;

according to Kit Kittelstad in ​Types of Mythology: From Creation to the Underworld​, “In many instances,

myths are built around the lives of gods and goddesses. If humans were involved, they were usually larger

than life with tremendous heroic prowess” (Kittelstad, n.d..) In animal mythology, creatures were given

special powers and the ability to communicate between gods and humans while serving as motivation for

high achievements (Kittelstad, n.d..) The phoenix, a mythical bird which is reborn from fire, exists as a

form of animal mythology which represents rebirth and prosperity in many cultures such as Greek, Indian,

and egyptian (Kittelstad, n.d..) Another example of animal mythology is seen within the Native American

story “​How the Bear Lost his Tail​,” which portrays the story of a bear who would often boast about his

long tail and a fox who deceived him into freezing his tail away; this story was used to teach against vain

actions and remarks, a lesson which is seen in many cross-cultural stories (Kittelstad, n.d..) Creation

mythology was used by ancient civilizations to make sense of their current conditions; for instance, Norse

mythology supports the belief that “Odin, the father of all gods, and his brothers Vili and Ve slew the first

giant Ymir and made the world out of his body and the first humans out of tree trunks” (Kittelstad, n.d..)

Hero mythology typically does not focus on rationale, but rather “admirable human traits, such as valor or

morality”; Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero who “fought and conquered the monsters that terrorized

Denmark and Sweden,” was revered for his moral virtues and sense of adventure (Kittelstad, n.d..) The

hero is a common archetype which follows a quest based narrative plot that often shows the gods as either

an obstacle or helper; as seen in the case of Hercules, the mortal son of Zeus who had to complete a

certain set of “heroic tasks” and even assisted the Olympian gods in the battle against giants (Kittelstad,

n.d..) Death and underworld mythology was a way for ancient civilizations to rationalize death and

decrease the sense of fear brought forth by the subject, “myths around the world contain an “underworld,”

which could be good or bad and from which a lucky few returned, symbolizing rebirth as much as death”
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(Kittelstad, n.d..) Egyptian mythology in particular follows the story of Ma’at, a goddess who determined

what individuals could enter the underworld; “When people died, their hearts were placed on one side of a

scale. The other side of the scale held Ma'at's feather of truth. If their heart was heavier than the feather,

they were sent to their "second death” (Kittelstad, n.d..) Across the world, there exists a number of trends

and patterns which share many similarities despite the various types of cultures and written traditions.

The underlying use of mythology can be traced back to “one element of the human condition that

never changes...our quest for knowledge. We want to know how we got here, what our purpose is, and

how everything around us functions” (Kittelstad, n.d..) For ancient civilizations, mythology was

particularly important in the sense that it “helped them make sense of the world” (Kittelstad, n.d..)

Nowadays, mythology still functions as a significant part of society because “it helps us better understand

the rich culture and traditions of our innovative ancestors” (Kittelstad, n.d..)

Legends:

Legends are types of narratives, according to ​Myth vs Legend,​ that incorporate some aspects

based in facts, events, and real individuals (Myth vs. Legend, 2020.) The events and stories told within

this form of literature are often romanticized and exaggerated for the purpose of making them seem

“larger than life” (Myth Vs. Legend, 2020.) According to Richard Nordquist, legends, similar to myths,

“contain supernatural, bizarre, or highly improbable elements” (Nordquist 2019.) The blurred line

between fiction and reality alongside the specific narrative elements continues to give legends relevance

nowadays. Legends, as expressed by Literary Terms, are often subject to change; different variations of

the same narrative exist in order to attract new audiences, as seen with the adaptation of the medieval

legend the Philosopher's stone in the ​Harry Potter​ series (“Legend: Definitions and Examples,” 2019.)

Popular culture exists as a significant source of modern day urban legends, these stories are often

based on creatures that have a possibility of being real but are yet to be scientifically discovered

(“Legend: Definitions and Examples,” 2019.) For instance, the Lochness Monster, Bigfoot, and the
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Abominable Snowman are three creatures which have been debated and searched for as a result of

apparent sightings and the spread of different legends (“Legend: Definitions and Examples,” 2019.) Even

if a legend is believed to be highly improbable, many individuals still exhibit a sense of curiosity and

continue to question about and search for said narrative (“Legend: Definitions and Examples,” 2019.)

In contemporary times, legends are important not only for literary purposes but also within

popular culture and society (“Legend: Definitions and Examples,” 2019.) The “timeless” aspect of

legends means that they can be adapted and better suited for new audiences which makes them “an

invaluable form of storytelling” “Legend: Definitions and Examples,” 2019.)

Fairy Tales and Fables:

Fairy Tales, defined by Literary Terms, are stories commonly written for children which include

“fanciful and wondrous characters” such as the supernatural which are often set in an alternate universe

(“Fairy Tale: Definition and Examples,” 2016.) Traditionally, fairy tales were passed down from a

number of story-tellers before they were ever expressly documented in books; thus, fairy tales are quite

adaptable and a number of alternative versions exist (“Fairy Tale: Definition and Examples,” 2016.)

Within the genre, not many rules exist therefore “they are characterized by their elements, types, or motifs

(distinctive and recurring images or ideas)”; the various types of fairy tales, however, can be divided into

religious tales, tales of fate, supernatural powers, helpers, and adversaries, and magic objects (“Fairy

Tale: Definition and Examples,” 2016.) In ​Elements Found in Fairy Tales,​ the author expresses that fairy

tales are “far-fetched sequences of events” which feature a number of “folkloric” characters, creatures,

and enchantments (“The Elements of a Fairy Tale,” 2020.) Common themes noted in many fairy tales are

magical enchantments (i.e. talking animals, fairies, goblins, etc.), certain diction at the beginning and

ending (i.e. once upon a time, happily ever after, etc.), the presence of morally “good” and “evil”

characters, and the concept of universal truths and experiences (i.e. coming of age, true love, etc.) (“The

Elements of a Fairy Tale,” 2020.) Prominent motifs within fairy tales include quests, trickster characters,
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human weakness and strength, guardians and magic helpers (i.e. fairy godmother), gluttony and

starvation; motifs, as factors which encourage the main ideas and underlying themes, are very important

to the creation process of fairy tales (“The Elements of a Fairy Tale,” 2020.) The world of fairy tales is

one full of imaginative creatures, magical beings, and timeless adventures which work together to teach

valuable morals and inspire a sense of righteousness.

On the other hand, fables are short fictional stories which can be considered a sub-genre of fairy

tales and are typically didactic in nature (“Fable: Definition and Examples,” 2016.) Fables utilize

“animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature which are anthropomorphized (given human

qualities)” in order to teach a lesson or certain morals (“The Elements of a Fairy Tale,” 2020.) For

instance, Aesop, believed to be a Greek slave and storymaker, wrote a series of fables (Aesop’s Fables)

which are commonly portrayed in contemporary cultures around the world; his fables were often short

and ended with one sentence phrases which supported some lesson or moral, such as “slow and steady

wins the race” or “the tyrant always finds a pretext for his tyranny” (“Fable: Definition and Examples,”

2016.) Fables, although brief and concise, are a relevant contributor to societal behaviors considering the

morality taught through them.

The importance of fairy tales lies within the imagination, through which “we learn about the

world” and explore endless possibilities; fairy tales are an outlet in which anything can be expressed

despite its probability within the “real world” (“Fairy Tale: Definition and Examples,” 2016.) Fairy tales,

whether expressed orally or in written form, are universal in the sense that they share “similar plots,

characters, and motifs...across many different cultures” (“The Elements of a Fairy Tale,” 2020.) However,

many regions will often acquire different adaptations since “fairy tales tend to take on the color of their

location, through the choice of motifs, the style in which they are told and the depiction of character”; this

fluidity of fairy tales is what helps make them unique to each individual and community (“The Elements

of a Fairy Tale,” 2020.) Although the subject of fairy tales can seem quite childish, many of these stories

hold a larger purpose; fairy tales address matters such as Jungian archetypes (man’s collective

subconscious, collective dream, deepest desires, etc.), Freudian psychoanalysis (the ego, primal need
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versus conscious, etc.), and many more (“The Elements of a Fairy Tale,” 2020.) Fables as a subgenre of

fairy tales continue to maintain their relevance over time because “they are successfully passed on and

shared through both literature and oral storytelling” (“Fable: Definition and Examples,” 2016.) This

makes them a “typical and essential” staple of lore around the world since fables are able to attract and

maintain audiences through the morals and lessons they symbolize (“Fable: Definition and Examples,”

2016.)

Importance of Oral Tradition (Songs, Sea Shanties, etc.):

Music is yet another way folklore is infused within the culture and history of many countries

around the world. According to the ​Library of Congress​, traditional singers are individuals who were

inspired by family and/or community to learn the craft and later pass it onto their children and other

individuals (“Folk Music and Song: American Folklife Center: An Illustrated Guide (Library of

Congress),” 2013.)​ ​Historically, traditional music has been passed through generations of families and

tribes; moreover, it “can sometimes ​be traced back to such places of origin as Great Britain, Europe, or

Africa” ​(“Folk Music and Song: American Folklife Center: An Illustrated Guide (Library of Congress),”

2013.) ​As time passes, traditional music has been subjected to change which can lead to many variations

of the same song; however this fact does not diminish their importance, instead it helps in their

conservation ​(“Folk Music and Song: American Folklife Center: An Illustrated Guide (Library of

Congress),” 2013.) ​“In some contexts, traditional songs are an integral part of daily life, and particular

songs are performed to accompany particular activities associated with work, religious celebration, or

social occasions” ​(“Folk Music and Song: American Folklife Center: An Illustrated Guide (Library of

Congress),” 2013.) ​Music, traditional or otherwise, is an adaptable form of folklore which continues to

gain popularity and unite communities just as it did in olden times. Specifically, “anglo-American ballads

often offer cautionary tales and moral lessons, warning young women about the temptations of

honey-tongued suitors and warning men about the wiles of unfaithful women” ​(“Folk Music and Song:
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American Folklife Center: An Illustrated Guide (Library of Congress),” 2013.) According to C.S. Voll in

Songs of the Sea: The Origins of Shanties,​ other examples of culturally significant music were sea

shanties; this genre of music was a “product of its circumstances,” meaning a shanty would originate from

a working crew of seamen and spread across countries and boundaries (Voll, 2019.) The purpose of sea

shanties was to inspire work ethic within multicultural crews and even as they were adapted and changed

from their original formatting, sea shanties maintained a significant role in the sense that they lifted

morale and “they could make time go faster when the crew were busy with manual tasks and could inject

humour into an otherwise dull day” (Voll, 2019.) Thus, music as a form of folklore served as a very

important feature of day to day life and continues to do so within contemporary cultures.

Cultural and Historical Importance of Folklore:

Folklore as a whole represents not only tradition but cultural values and perspectives across the

world; “Myths, stories, legends, folklore, tall tales give valuable insights int​o how people perceive and

think about their world” (“Culture, Religion, & Myth: Interdisciplinary Approaches,” 2010.) The

perspective given to different communities through lore helps shape society and even in terms of fantasy,

lore manages to incorporate many cultural beliefs and historical lessons which can be compared

“cross-culturally” through the many archetypes such as themes, structures, images, and characters

(“Culture, Religion, & Myth: Interdisciplinary Approaches,” 2010.)

The significance of lore also presents itself through the understanding of ethnic identity in many

different cultures and communities (Jayalaxmi 2010.) Folk art and narrative exist in a way that expresses

“human suffering and pains,” which are shared among members of a group and even cross-culturally

(Jayalaxmi 2010.) This similarity in struggles and literary morals “generates a shared identity for the

groups” that helps facilitate understanding through these common elements (Jayalaxmi 2010.) Folklore

allows us to access and address “an innate psychological need shared by all human beings” to express and

understand “pain, loss, and emptiness everywhere” ​(“Folklore: Definition and Examples |
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LiteraryTerms.net,” 2016.) In order for human beings to comprehend the good and bad aspects of world,

stories about gods, heroes, and monsters are created to provide a “psychological boost” and to teach

“valuable lessons about courage and perseverance” (“Folklore: Definition and Examples |

LiteraryTerms.net,” 2016.)

Lore in Morocco:

As mentioned by The Africa Center, Moroccan folklore has traditionally followed the oral and

physical route as seen within the diverse cultural music and dances (“Moroccan Folklore,” n.d.) As shown

throughout its significance in Moroccan history and culture, folklore is a way to “express and enhance

everyday life”; lore, through the way it conveys romantic, symbolic, and colorful aspects of setting and

tradition, exists as an integral part of life because promotes a shared understanding and appreciation

among Moroccan communities (“Moroccan Folklore,” n.d.)

Storytelling existed in this country over a thousand years ago when the Berber General-Kings still

reigned over the land and “Morocco was growing rich from the gold and spice trade” (“Storytelling

Traditions Across the World: Morocco,” 2019.) During this time, lore was a method of teaching values

and morality but it was also a way of providing entertainment (“Storytelling Traditions Across the World:

Morocco,” 2019.) Hikayat, an event in which storytellers would orally share their tales among family and

friends, manifested in many Moroccan cities and encouraged the spread of their heritage and art

(“Storytelling Traditions Across the World: Morocco,” 2019.) However, as the world progressed and

globalization became prominent, a lack of interest in hikayat grew; in order to preserve and revive the

tradition, many individuals took it upon themselves to learn the art of storytelling from “master

storytellers” (“Storytelling Traditions Across the World: Morocco,” 2019.) With their acquired

knowledge and understanding of the tales, Moroccans shared their craft around different squares and

attempted to inspire a renewed interest in the art (“Storytelling Traditions Across the World: Morocco,”

2019.) Marrakech, a city in Morocco, was a favored location for these storytellers considering that it
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possessed a “rich variety of storytelling tradition” and many hikayats took place in the city markets and

squares (“Storytelling Traditions Across the World: Morocco,” 2019.​) ​Popular stories include ​The King

and The Thief,​ ​The Teacher and The Woman​, ​The Lion, the Hedgehog, and the Donkey, e​ tc.; common

themes shared within these stories are based in morality or spirituality with some dramatic aspects to

entertain the audience (“Storytelling Traditions Across the World: Morocco,” 2019.)

Lore in the Philippines:

As stated in ​Mythology and Philippine Studies,​ an article written by F. Landa Jocano, folklore

narratives are a foundation for Filipino tradition and heritage (Jocano, 2018.) She determines that the

study of local folklore is significant in the sense that individuals must not forget or overlook the societal

impacts folklore has had on the country (Jocano, 2018.)

Philopino folklore typically focused on the existence of divinites (divine beings) which was a

belief commonly shared by the people; deities were viewed as supernatural beings who uphold “social

and ritual” relationships with the people while also having control over “phenomena basic to man’s

survival” such as successful harvests, disease, and weather (Jocano 2018.) Thus, deities were highly

revered and individuals lived in a manner designed to appease them; for instance farmers or hunters, as

they were about to enter their fields or forests, would request permission from nearby spirits otherwise

they would have to face tribulations (Jocano 2018.) Moreover, creation mythology is a popular form of

lore within Filipino culture; for instance, the ​Children of the Limokon​ is a Filipino myth which accredits

the creation of the first man and woman to “powerful” birds known as the Limokon. Folklore, in the

spiritual sense, influenced their daily lives and therefore highly impacted the way individuals behaved and

viewed the world.

Conclusion
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Culture and history impact folklore by inspiring certain sets of values and beliefs which control

the direction of folktales. The stigmas and taboo surrounding topics such as magic and mythical beings

are rooted in the history of many countries which therefore diversifies the trends in folklore; one

community could view one god as forgiving while another community could view that same god as

vengeful. Alternatively, one could argue that the stigma limits the development of folklore due to the

cultural perceptions of separate groups who hold opposing beliefs and values. Ultimately, folklore is a

commonality shared within many communities, ancient and modern, due to the easily adaptable nature of

stories and their ability to influence societal behaviors by promoting certain modes of moral functions and

values.

References
 Laaguiby 20

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 Laaguiby 21

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