Many Forms of Folklore
Folklore encompasses a wide range of forms, including stories, songs, rituals, festivals, and artistic expressions that carry cultural meaning and preserve collective memory. These forms not only reflect the values and beliefs of the past but also evolve over time, adapting to new contexts and continuing to connect communities across generations.
Explore below to gain insights into folklore’s diverse traditions, from legends to creative practices and hands-on crafts, connecting ancient wisdom with modern interpretations.
Urban Legends & Cryptids
Explore contemporary legends and local cryptids, and see how they reflect contemporary fears and values.
Recipes and Foodways
Explore the delicious traditions behind cultural dishes, food-related customs, and other ways we interact with food.
Seasonal Folklore and Holidays
Experience the folklore behind seasonal celebrations and festivals, from spring planting traditions to harvest and Halloween.
Fairy Tales Around the World
Enjoy classic fairy tales, or explore new and unique adaptations from your own culture and others.
Folk Music and Dance
Learn about the origins and meanings of traditional music and dances, and find ways to join in.
Folk Art and Creative Practices
See how folklore has influenced the history of creative fields like art, craft, theater, and more.
Folklore & the Supernatural
Examine ghost stories, hauntings, and supernatural encounters in folklore around the world.
Traditional Medicine
Discover the significance of folk remedies and informal healing practices, and their place in historical & modern knowledge about health.
Crafting Personal Identity
Examine personal experiences of folklore and folk groups, and see how folklore impacts the way we represent who we are as individuals .
Explore Our Latest Folklore Insights
Crafting Identity: Objects as Storytellers
A quilt isn’t just a blanket, and a piece of pottery isn’t just a container—they're important cultural artifacts, and often, they are also storytellers. Across the globe, traditional crafts serve as a tangible link to folklore, preserving cultural identities and...