Custom Trapper

Do you believe the definition of “Folklore,” in details is accurate and a baseline for Mythology & Folklore?

The comparison and identification of the survival of beliefs, custom, and traditions in modern age. In America [USA] the study of Folklore particularly of the Cowboy, the Mountaineers [Trappers,] the African American, and the Native Americans. As well as the various Ethnic immigration groups that brought Folklore with them when immigrating to the Americas.

First one must define folklore and there are varying thoughts on the subject, but generally folklore is considered to be traditional art, literature, knowledge, and practice that is passed on largely through oral communication and example. Each group shares, as a central part of their identity, folk tradition. These are the things that people traditionally believe, do, make and say. It matters not what age the group exists in, be it thousands of years ago or today.

Now as to the question of whether folklore is a baseline for mythology and folklore we must go back and try and comprehend the mind of man when first he uttered words, and was at last able to communicate with other humans. What would they have talked about? Ways to survive would probably be at the top of the list. It is this back to basics, no frills existence, which probably gave birth to lore. Still mythology must have been born as the little brother to folklore, since surely man must have wondered early on why and how he came to be here.

Edit: In answering the question it was pertinent for me to address the relevancy of mythology and folklore in my own life. The beliefs, customs and traditions I grew up with have influenced my thinking on the great mystery of life. However, the years have brought me to certain conclusions and beliefs that are uniquely my own in regards to religion and spirituality. As an example, if one looks at the New Age movement, then it is particularly interesting to discover how many of its concepts come from a wide range of sources which have been integrated into a new philosophy by a group of similarly-minded individuals.

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