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What is Folklife?
Folklife refers to artistic and cultural traditions (also called folklore) shared by a group of people and maintained over time. Folk groups can be defined by a wide variety of factors such as occupation, recreation, religion, ethnicity, or geography. When folklorists study a folk group, they explore the group’s customs, beliefs, technical skills, handicrafts, arts, rituals, and oral traditions. Though people often think of folklife as something “other” people have, most of us participate in several folk groups during an ordinary day. Whenever we join a club or play on a team, for instance, we partake in recreational folklife. Similarly, family and community folklife influence the way we celebrate holidays and birthdays.
Folklore is artistic communication
There are a confusing number of ways to define and understand what folklife and folklore are. Unfortunately, among the general public the term "folklore" has developed a meaning suggesting "something false" or "something naieve" or "something outmoded." But to thousands of professionals whose work deals with cultural life, folklore refers to how groups of people tend to create, display, and pass on understandings about themselves and the world around them. Folklore is everywhere. We all participate in it and we all share it. Whether one is an enthusiast or a professional folklorist, we can all learn a great deal about ourselves and others through an awareness and understanding of folklore.
How Does Folklife Relate to How We Live Today?
Though people often think of folklife as something “other” people have, most of us participate in the folklife of many groups during an ordinary day. Whenever we join a club or play on a team, go to church, attend a wedding, dance with others, or wash a car, for instance, we participate in folklife.
Folklore is art in everyday life
A common misunderstanding is that folklore is old fashioned, is limited to the "country," or does not affect modern people's lives. Folklore is everywhere – even in your own habits or communities. Do you still carry on activities or skills that were taught to you by a member of your family? Do you know when someone is telling you something happy or horrifying – depending on the tone or word choice? What about you community – do some people put up the same decorations every year or cook out of the world meals for which they are known? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you are beginning to scratch the surface of what folklore is or could be to you.
Below are some definitions of the very broad topics of folklore and folklife and some ideas for shaping your own opinions. Whether you live in a small community, a big urban center, down a country road, or up a high-rise apartment building – there is folklore around you. Maybe these ideas will help you find it.
