EL 112: MYTHOLOGY AND FOLKLORE

Definition of Folk Literature

1. Folklore refers to the oral transmission of traditional beliefs, traditions, rituals, and
legends from generation to generation. - LibGuides

Genres of Folk Literature

1. Folk Song
 A folk song is a song that originated among the people of a country or region, was passed
down through the generations by oral tradition, and is characterized by a simple, modal
melody and stanzaic, narrative verse. - Dictionary.com
 It implies the use of music, and the musical tradition varies greatly from one area to
another. Britannica.com

Examples: Bahay Kubo, Dandansoy, Atin Cu Pung Singsing, Magtanim ay Di Biro

Lyrics of “Bahay Kubo”

Bahay kubo kahit munti

Mga gulay dito ay sari-sari
Singkamas at talong
Sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw bataw patani
Kundol, patola, upo’t kalabasa
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa,
sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya
sa paligid-ligid ay puro linga.

Background: Bahay Kubo is a Tagalog-language folk song from the Philippines' Luzon
lowlands. Emilia S. Cavan created a collection of Filipino folk songs in 1924, and it was
included in that collection. The song is about a bahay kubo (lit. 'Cube House' in English), a
bamboo house with a nipa leaf roof surrounded by various types of vegetables.

Lyrics of “Dandansoy”

Dandansoy, bayaan ta icao

Pauli aco sa Payao
Ugaling con icao hidlauon
Ang Payaw imo lang lantauon
Background: Dandansoy is a popular Visayan folksong in the Philippines about a woman who
left her lover; however, she is giving him a chance to be with her if he can prove his undying
love.

Lyrics of “Atin Cu Pung Singsing”

Background: Atin Cu Pung Singsing is a classic Filipino folk song particularly Kapampangan
sung by adults and children from Central Luzon, Philippines. The song's origin is uncertain, and
whether it is prehistoric or colonial has been debated. However, because the melody is
comparable to Spanish and Mexican folk songs of the time, it is most likely from the 18th
century. The folk song features a lady as the protagonist and a man as a supporting role. The
woman in the song is hunting for a lost ring that her mother gave her, and she offers her love as a
prize to the man who can find it.

2. Ballad
 It is a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas. Traditional ballads are typically of
unknown authorship, having been passed on orally from one generation to the next as
part of the folk culture. – Oxford Languages
 It's characterized by local metrical patterns and frequently archaic musical modes, and it's
mainly about domestic or warlike struggle, disasters on land or sea, crime and
punishment, heroes and outlaws, and, occasionally, but rarely, comedy.

Examples: Annabel Lee, All the Worlds a Stage, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Annabel Lee
By Edgar Allan Poe

Background: "Annabel Lee" is a film about a teenage love that is tragically cut short. The
speaker (generally considered to be Poe himself, whose young wife died just before he composed
this poem) describes his relationship with the now-deceased Annabel Lee as pure, eternal, and
all-conquering love. Even though the speaker's love for Annabel Lee was short-lived, it was too
strong to be overcome by death. The poem claims that love is the most powerful force on earth
by depicting this deeply idealized love.

"Annabel Lee" is Edgar Allan Poe's final complete poem. It examines the issue of the death of a
beautiful woman, as do many of Poe's writings. Even angels are envious of the narrator's love for
Annabel Lee, whom he first fell in love with when they were both young. Even after she dies, he
still loves her. There has been discussion about who, if anyone, inspired "Annabel Lee." Poe's
wife Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe is one of the more credible choices, despite the fact that many
other women have been offered. It was written in 1849 but not published until 1850, shortly after
Poe's death.
 All the Worlds a Stage
By William Shakespeare
Background: "All the World's a Stage" is a line from Shakespeare's poetry "As You Like
It," in which the speaker, Jaques, sees the world as a temporary stage on which everyone
plays a part in seven distinct stages of existence.

The famous speech ‘All the world’s a stage’ was first published as part of As You Like It in the
First Folio in 1623. Scholars are unsure when the play was performed for the first time but it was
likely sometime around 1603. The play is a five-act pastoral comedy that features a monologue
in which Jacques considers the nature of the world, the roles men and women play, and how one
ages, being “All the world’s a stage”.

1. Infancy (lines 5-6): The first stage of man’s life is infantry. In the monologue, readers
can find an image of a baby crying softly and throwing up in the caregiver’s lap.
2. Boyhood (lines 7-9): The image of a school-going boy unwilling to go to school
describes this stage.
3. Adolescence/Teenage (lines 9-11): In this stage, Shakespeare presents an image of a
dejected lover who composes sad songs for his beloved.
4. Youth (lines 11-15): He projects the stage of youth by depicting the life of a soldier. As a
soldier, a person in his youths is unafraid of dire challenges.
5. Middle Age (lines 15-19): The fifth stage deals with middle age and it is described by the
picture of a judge or one who practices law. In this stage of life, one starts to mature and
becomes wiser than before.
6. Old Age (lines 19-25): Just before the final stage, comes old age, turning the manly voice
of youth into the childish trebles and whistling. It makes the body weak and the mind,
dependent upon others.
7. Death (lines 25-28): In the finale of this seven-act-play of life, the strange and eventful
history ends abruptly. It leaves a man with nothing.

3. Folk Drama
 Folk drama is a type of nonprofit rural theater and pageantry based on folklore and local
history. With the development of printing, broad literacy, and a growing emphasis on the
individual contributions of playwrights, directors, and performers to the drama, this type
 of theatre, which was formerly popular all over the world, began to fade in popularity in
the West (though not in Asia). – Encyclopedia.com

Examples: Moro-moro, Duplo, Senakulo

 Moro-moro - The earliest known form of organized theatre in the Philippines, moro-
moro, also known as comedia, was founded by Spanish monks. Apart from epic
recitations, any indigenous theatrical forms that may have existed before to the arrival of
the Spanish were eliminated in order to assist the spread of Christianity.
 Duplo - The duplo, which evolved from indigenous courtship rituals, is a poetic
discussion expressed through song and dance. To deliver their suit to the woman of their
choosing, poets employed proverbs and riddles. This eventually grew into a more official
debate on topics, and the balagtasan was born.
 Senakulo - The senakulo, or Passion Play, is another performing art that has its roots in
Catholic tradition. This is a portrayal of Jesus Christ's life and death that is typically
performed as a community activity during the Lenten season. This is still going strong
today, with everything from modest productions to more technically advanced and
contemporary renditions.

4. Fable
 Fable is a tale form in which animals act and speak like humans and are recounted to
emphasize human follies and shortcomings. A moral—or lesson for behavior—is weaved
throughout the story and typically stated overtly at the conclusion. – Britannica.com
 It is a narration intended to enforce a useful truth especially : one in which animals speak
and act like human beings. – Merriam Webster
 Most Western fables come from the famous fabulist Aesop, who wrote in ancient
Greece. 
 The word “fable” comes from the Latin “fabula,” or “story.” Most Western fables come
from the famous fabulist Aesop, who wrote in ancient Greece. In ancient Greek
education, students were taught fables and encouraged to make up and recite their own.
The oldest known fables are those in the Panchatantra, a collection of fables in Sanskrit
 A fable is a short story that illustrates a moral lesson. The plot of a fable includes a
simple conflict and a resolution, followed by a maxim. Fables feature anthropomorphized
animals and natural elements as main characters.
 When we say anthropomorphized,  animals and even inanimate objects (like the wind, or
the sun) are the main characters of the story and are given human qualities. Some animals
have specific traits associated with them. For example, an owl is wise, a fox is cunning,
and a lion is brave.
 The Fox and the Grapes - The word "sour grapes" comes from this fable, in which a fox
spots a bunch of grapes high up on a branch and desires them desperately. He tries to
reach them with a running jump but misses. He tries again and again, but it is in vain.
 Finally, he gives up and dismissively walks away. "There are many who profess to
dislike and denigrate something which is beyond their reach," the moral of the story goes.
 The Lion and the Mouse - A mouse begs to be let go after being caught by a lion. In
exchange for his life, the mouse swears to repay the lion. The lion consents and releases
the mouse. A few days later, the mouse comes across a lion trapped in a hunter's net and
gnaws on the rope until the animal is freed, remembering the lion's generosity. "A
kindness is never wasted," says the story's moral.

5. Folktale
 It is a tale or legend originating and traditional among a people or folk, especially one
forming part of the oral tradition of the common people. – Dictionary.com
 Folktales are stories in the oral tradition, or tales that people tell each other out loud,
rather than stories in written form. They're closely related to many storytelling traditions,
including fables, myths, and fairy tales. Every human society has its own folktales; these
well-known stories, handed down between generations, are an important way of passing
along knowledge, information, and history.
 Folktales cover a wide range of topics in life. They may discuss joys and sorrows,
animals and magical beings, heroes and villains, and heroes and villains. They can be
frightening, amusing, or thrilling. Folktales can be used to entertain, impart a lesson, or
explain something that people don't understand. Folktales and myths have a lot in
common. It's a collection of traditional stories describing a culture's outlook on life.
 Stories are told differently in different cultures. Similar themes, though, can be found in
folktales from many different locales and cultures. Stories of heroes are also common in
many cultures. Heroic tales help bind a people together and help them remember their
history. 

Examples: The Monkey and the Turtle, The Story of Pina, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, The
Frog King,

 The Monkey and the Turtle - Jose Rizal's folktale short story The Monkey and the
Turtle is a superb example of a folktale short story. The story is around a friendship
between a monkey and a turtle. They both noticed a banana plant floating in the ocean.
They considered breaking it apart so that they could plan ahead. The monkey chose the
plant's upper section, believing it to be superior. Meanwhile, the turtle had gotten the
bottom half with the roots and was able to grow a large plant. The turtle begged the
monkey to grab the fruits for him because he couldn't climb the tree. Instead, the monkey
turned on the turtle and devoured all of the fruits. The turtle plotted his vengeance, which
resulted in the monkey's death.
 The Story of Pina - As told by Neni Sta Romana Cruz, the Pina has a Hundred Eyes.
Pinang, a beautiful but indolent girl, is depicted in this folktale. She was asked to cook by
 her mother, which she initially refused to do. She couldn't find the ladle when she
eventually agreed to do it. Pinang's irritated mother wished for a hundred eyes so she
could find everything. Pinang eventually vanished, and in their backyard blossomed a
yellow fruit with a hundred eyes.

6. Myth
 Myths are stories that have been passed down through generations. Some are based
on true events, while others are entirely made up. Myths, on the other hand, are more
than just stories; they have a deeper meaning in both ancient and modern societies.
 A myth is a conventional or legendary story, usually about a being, hero, or event,
with or without a determinable foundation in fact or a natural explanation, especially
one that deals with deities or demigods and explains a religious practice, rite, or
natural phenomenon. – Dictionary.com
 The word myth comes from the Greek mythos, which means "word," "statement,"
"tale," and "fiction"; mythos' unquestionable validity can be compared with logos, the
word whose validity or truth can be contested and shown. Because myths describe
extraordinary events without attempting to prove them, it's commonly considered that
they're just fiction with no basis in fact, and the word has become a synonym for
falsehood or, at best, misunderstanding.
  Myths are sacred tales that explain the world and man's experience. Myths are as
relevant to us today as they were to the ancients. Myths answer timeless questions
and serve as a compass to each generation.
 T he subjects of myths reflect the universal concerns of mankind throughout history:
birth, death, the afterlife, the origin of man and the world, good and evil and the
nature of man himself. A myth taps into a universal cultural narrative, the collective
wisdom of man.

7. Legend
 A legend is a type of folklore that consists of a story about human activities that are
believed or understood to have occurred in human history by both the teller and the
listeners. Narratives in this genre may show human values and have particular
qualities that lend credibility to the story. – Wikipedia.com
 legend, traditional story or group of stories told about a particular person or place.
Formerly the term legend meant a tale about a saint. Legends resemble folktales in
content; they may include supernatural beings, elements of mythology, or
explanations of natural phenomena, but they are associated with a particular locality
or person and are told as a matter of history.
Examples:  Robin Hood, King Arthur, Ali Baba, the Fountain of Youth, Paul Bunyan, Kraken,
Atlantis, the Loch Ness Monster, and Bigfoot ,Yeti.

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - The narrative of one of England's most
renowned, and probably most adored, rulers is told in Benedict Flynn's book King Arthur and the
Knights of the Round Table. Though there is no clear evidence of his existence, there is a large
amount of legend around his life. Many generations have heard stories of King Arthur and the
Knights of the Round Table, as well as the great and mighty Merlin, his closest confidant and
defender. Other traditions tell of Arthur's love for his queen, Guinevere, and the rivalry between
Arthur and his friend Lancelot for her affections.

8. Fairy Tale
 A fairy tale is a story for children involving magical events and imaginary creatures.
She was like a princess in a fairy tale. – Collins Dictionary

A fairy tale is a story, often intended for children, that features fanciful and
wondrous characters such as elves, goblins, wizards, and even, but not necessarily, fairies. The
term “fairy” tale seems to refer more to the fantastic and magical setting or magical influences
within a story, rather than the presence of the character of a fairy within that story. Fairy tales are
often traditional; many were passed down from story-teller to story-teller before being recorded
in books.

Examples: Snow White, Rip Van Winkle, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, Rumpelstiltskin,
Thumbelina

9. Tall Tale
 Humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the
impossible with nonchalance.
 tall tale, narrative that depicts the wild adventures of extravagantly exaggerated folk
heroes. The tall tale is essentially an oral form of entertainment; the audience
appreciates the imaginative invention rather than the literal meaning of the tales. 
 Tall tales" are stories that are told as if they were true but contain exaggerated or
unbelievable parts. Some tall tales are exaggerations of real events, while others are
completely make-believe. Tall tales are usually very funny because the exaggerations
in the story tend to be the main focus of the whole story.
 The tall tale is a distinctive part of larger-than-life American folklore. Heroes such as
Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed personify the American pioneer spirit and tell the
story of the country's creation and growth. Films such as Big Fish (2003) also
illustrate how exaggerating details can make a larger-than-life character seem
 unbelievable. While there are similar story traditions around the world, including
fables, folktales and legends, the tall tale itself is unique to American culture.

Examples: Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, Big Fish, Pecos Bill

Shortest Forms of Folk Literature:

1. Proverbs -
 A proverb is a traditional statement that reflects a perceived truth based on common
sense or experience in a simple and insightful way. Proverbs are frequently figurative
and written in a formulaic style.
 The proverb, which expresses insights about the nature of life or wise or unwise
behaviour in brief form, may be so much an oral tradition that it serves as a sanction
for choices in some preliterate communities, and it may even be used in the same way
that attorneys use court precedents.

Examples:

 “Good things come to those who wait.”

 “Practice makes perfect.
 “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
 “A dog is a man's best friend.”
 “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

2. Riddle
- A riddle is a phrase, question, or statement that has a double or disguised meaning and is
presented as a problem to be solved. Enigmas are difficulties that are often written in
metaphorical or allegorical language and take ingenuity and careful thought to solve,
whereas conundras are questions that rely on punning in either the query or the answer
for their effects.
- Riddle a riddle is a traditional verbal expression which contains one or more descriptive
elements, a pair of which may be in opposition; the referent of the elements is to be
guessed".[5] There are many possible sub-sets of the riddle, including charades, droodles,
and some jokes.
-

Easy Riddles Examples:

1. Riddle: What has to be broken before you can use it?

Answer: An egg

2. Riddle: I’m tall when I’m young, and I’m short when I’m old. What am I?
Answer: A candle

3. Riddle: What is always in front of you but can’t be seen?

Answer: The future

4. Riddle. What can you break, even if you never pick it up or touch it?
Answer: A promise

3. Charm
 A practice or expression believed to have magic power, similar to an incantation or a
spell.
 Charms are among the earliest examples of written literature.
 Charms, whether for producing magic effects or for divining the future, also exist in
folk literature as well as in the well-known Anglo-Saxon written form. In reality,
charms can be related to “mantras” or words of meditation. The word is from
the Old French charme and the Latin carmen, “ritual utterance,”
“incantation,” or “song.”
 Charms reflect pagan superstition and folklore. Even so, it was not uncommon for
the charm to include an invocation to the Christian God. The charm typically
consists of three parts: (1) the naming or description of the means to be used in the
implementation of the charm; (2) a short narrative telling how the evil arose or some
former occasion on which the remedy worked; and (3) the incantation, wherein was
mentioned the technique needed for the alleviation of the problem. This cross-
compositions suggest a culture in honest transition from one belief system to
another.

Example:

“Hail to thee, Earth (the old Earth Goddess), mother of men,/Be fruitful in God’s embrace,
/Filled with food for the use of men.”