# folklore

> cultural expressions of a particular group of people, manifested in verbal form (proverbs, jokes, legends, songs), material form (objects of art), customs (beliefs and ways of doing things)

**Wikidata**: [Q36192](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q36192)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folklore)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/folklore

## Summary
Folklore refers to cultural expressions of a particular group of people, manifested in verbal forms such as proverbs, jokes, legends, and songs, as well as material forms like objects of art and customs that include beliefs and ways of doing things. It is a key part of tradition and history, often preserved through oral tradition and passed down through generations. Folklore encompasses a wide range of genres, including mythology, legends, and anecdotes, and varies significantly across different cultures and regions.

## Key Facts
- Folklore is a subset of tradition and history, representing cultural expressions passed down through generations.
- It includes verbal forms like proverbs, jokes, legends, and songs, as well as material forms such as objects of art and customs.
- Notable subcategories include mythology, legends, anecdotes, and urban folklore, each with distinct regional and cultural variations.
- Folklore is closely related to oral tradition, which involves the transmission of knowledge, art, and cultural material through spoken word.
- It is a genre of creative works based on stylistic, thematic, or technical criteria, often overlapping with other cultural expressions.
- Folklore has been studied and documented by scholars such as Vsevolod Miller, Otello Profazio, and Charles Eastman, who have contributed to its preservation and analysis.
- Notable examples of folklore include Grimms' fairy tales, the Mabinogion, and the Ural-batyr epic, each representing significant cultural narratives.

## FAQs
**What is the difference between folklore and mythology?**
Folklore encompasses a broader range of cultural expressions, including proverbs, jokes, and customs, whereas mythology specifically refers to collections of sacred stories or beliefs belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition.

**How is folklore different from tradition?**
Folklore is a specific form of tradition that focuses on cultural expressions passed down through generations, often in verbal or material forms, while tradition is a broader concept that includes any custom or practice inherited from past generations.

**What are some notable examples of folklore?**
Notable examples include Grimms' fairy tales, the Mabinogion, and the Ural-batyr epic, each representing significant cultural narratives from different regions.

**Who are some notable figures in the study of folklore?**
Scholars such as Vsevolod Miller, Otello Profazio, and Charles Eastman have contributed to the study and preservation of folklore.

**How is folklore related to oral tradition?**
Folklore is closely linked to oral tradition, as it often involves the transmission of knowledge, art, and cultural material through spoken word, preserving it for future generations.

## Why It Matters
Folklore plays a crucial role in preserving cultural identity and heritage, as it reflects the beliefs, values, and practices of a particular group of people. It serves as a bridge between the past and present, ensuring that traditional knowledge is not lost over time. Folklore also fosters a sense of community and belonging, as it provides a shared cultural framework that unites people across generations. Additionally, it contributes to the richness of literature and art, influencing the creation of stories, songs, and performances that resonate with audiences worldwide. By studying and celebrating folklore, we gain a deeper understanding of human history and the diverse ways in which cultures have expressed themselves throughout time.

## Notable For
- Being a key part of tradition and history, representing cultural expressions passed down through generations.
- Including a wide range of genres such as mythology, legends, and anecdotes, each with distinct regional and cultural variations.
- Being closely related to oral tradition, which involves the transmission of knowledge, art, and cultural material through spoken word.
- Having been studied and documented by notable scholars such as Vsevolod Miller, Otello Profazio, and Charles Eastman.
- Including notable examples of folklore such as Grimms' fairy tales, the Mabinogion, and the Ural-batyr epic, each representing significant cultural narratives.

## Body
### Overview
Folklore is a broad category of cultural expressions that includes verbal forms such as proverbs, jokes, legends, and songs, as well as material forms like objects of art and customs. It is closely related to tradition and history, representing the beliefs, values, and practices of a particular group of people passed down through generations.

### Types and Subcategories
Folklore encompasses a wide range of genres, including mythology, legends, anecdotes, and urban folklore. Each of these subcategories has distinct characteristics and regional variations. Mythology, for example, refers to collections of sacred stories or beliefs belonging to a specific religious or cultural tradition. Legends, on the other hand, feature human actions within history and are often passed down through oral tradition. Anecdotes are remarkable or characteristic stories, while urban folklore refers to stories and legends that are specific to urban environments.

### Cultural Variations
Folklore varies significantly across different cultures and regions. For instance, the folklore of Romania includes common Romanian mythology, while the folklore of Italy encompasses popular tales and legends from that country. Similarly, the folklore of Finland features local tales and beliefs from Finnish culture. These regional variations highlight the diverse ways in which folklore has been expressed and preserved throughout history.

### Notable Examples
Notable examples of folklore include Grimms' fairy tales, the Mabinogion, and the Ural-batyr epic. Grimms' fairy tales, first published in 1812–15 by the Grimm brothers, are a collection of German fairy tales that have had a significant influence on literature and culture. The Mabinogion, a term conventionally applied to eleven Middle Welsh prose tales, represents a legendary British past and has been preserved in manuscripts such as the Red Book of Hergest and the White Book of Rhydderch. The Ural-batyr epic, on the other hand, is a Bashkir folk epic that tells the story of a hero who battles against evil forces.

### Scholars and Researchers
Folklore has been studied and documented by notable scholars such as Vsevolod Miller, Otello Profazio, and Charles Eastman. These individuals have contributed to the preservation and analysis of folklore, ensuring that it remains a valuable part of cultural heritage. Their work has helped to shed light on the diverse ways in which folklore has been expressed and transmitted throughout history.

### Related Concepts
Folklore is closely related to oral tradition, which involves the transmission of knowledge, art, and cultural material through spoken word. It is also a genre of creative works based on stylistic, thematic, or technical criteria, often overlapping with other cultural expressions. Additionally, folklore is a key part of tradition and history, representing the beliefs, values, and practices of a particular group of people passed down through generations.

### Impact and Significance
Folklore plays a crucial role in preserving cultural identity and heritage, as it reflects the beliefs, values, and practices of a particular group of people. It serves as a bridge between the past and present, ensuring that traditional knowledge is not lost over time. Folklore also fosters a sense of community and belonging, as it provides a shared cultural framework that unites people across generations. Additionally, it contributes to the richness of literature and art, influencing the creation of stories, songs, and performances that resonate with audiences worldwide. By studying and celebrating folklore, we gain a deeper understanding of human history and the diverse ways in which cultures have expressed themselves throughout time.

## References

1. Nuovo soggettario
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3. [Source](http://datos.bne.es/tema/XX529442.html)
4. [Registros de autoridad de "Materia" de la Biblioteca Nacional de España. Spain open data portal](https://www.bne.es/media/datosgob/catalogo-autoridades/materia/materia-UTF8.zip)
5. BBC Things
6. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
7. BabelNet
8. National Library of Israel
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11. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)