Essays
In this section you will find essays, studies and reviews on narrative folklore, oral and popular culture, legends, folktales and other forms of tradition. We will also explore concepts, genres, research methods and historical aspects that help us understand how traditional narratives are created, transmitted and transformed.
You will also find entries on important authors and folklorists from the history of Catalonia, such as Francesc Maspons i Labrós, Sara Llorens and Rossend Serra i Pagès, as well as figures from other countries, such as the Italian Giuseppe Pitrè and the Russian Aleksandr Afanasyev. We will examine their historical contexts, their contributions and the ways in which they studied, interpreted and passed on materials from oral tradition. We will also publish reviews and critical discussions of books related to these subjects.
What Is a Myth? The Sacred Understanding of Reality — Basics III
Is a myth simply an imaginary story? This article traces the meanings the word has acquired, from “false religion” to modern propaganda, before exploring another understanding of myth rooted in the sacred, ritual and the human need to make meaning.
What Is the Difference Between a Folktale, a Fable and a Legend? — Basics II
An introduction to the differences between folktales, fables and legends: their settings, characters, structures, functions and the hybrid forms that arise between them.
What Are Tales in the Oral Tradition? — Basics I
What are tales in the oral tradition, and why do they remain alive? An introduction to how they are transmitted and transformed, the functions they fulfil, and the role they play in human experience and community identity.
