Folklore is defined variously, with a majority of people assuming that it entails the study of the culture and traditions of certain groups. In the real sense, it includes the analysis of people’s ways of life, their traditions, customs, and heritage. Each group has a special culture that characterizes it and makes it different from the rest, meaning that the study of folklore applies to every ethnic group.
It is advisable that individual views his or her culture objectively if a clear picture and meaning are to be attached to it. In many cases, folklores would be understood to mean the common activities and concerns of a group, but not the famous achievements; hence, many individuals believe that folklores are not important.
Historians encourage people to take a closer look at their folklores, as they have the capacity of educating them implying that it is something that can help the young generation in developing their history, studying their background, and understanding the past events.
In simple terms, folklore is defined as common creativity of humankind, which entails some of how people tend to be creative, generate knowledge, and study culture in society. Human beings are different from other species in the sense that they express themselves in symbolic ways;. Hence, they interpret things through signs. Through folklore, the special talents that people possess in society are understood.
Based on this, it is noted that folklores comprise of the five major areas, including verbal, musical, ritual, material, and belief. Verbal folklore includes how a group of people uses language in passing information, including storytelling. Musical folklore entails the use of songs and rhythms, such as recitation of verses. When people take part in communal celebrations, ritual folklore is said to have taken place.
Since human beings are believed to be toolmakers, the study of material folklore is imperative. Each community can manipulate nature to fulfill its interests and goals. The last category of folklore, belief, is different from the rest, as it mainly deals with how people view the world. It is noted that each community perceives the world changed and has a different orientation.
Based on this, belief folklore is not creative as compared to other forms of folklore. What people think and believe is always real as opposed to the imaginary world. The belief system is majorly shaped by experiences and people’s culture, which varies from one community to the other.