Folkloristics

Folkloristics is the academic study of folklore, which includes traditions, stories, customs, music, craft, and expressions passed down informally within cultures. It explores how these cultural elements shape community identity, values, and history. Folklorists analyze oral stories, legends, rituals, and material culture to understand human creativity and social life across different societies. By examining these shared practices and narratives, folkloristics provides insight into collective experiences, beliefs, and cultural continuity. It’s a multidisciplinary field that combines methods from anthropology, history, literature, and sociology to appreciate the richness and diversity of human cultural expression.