The Influence of Folklore on the

History of religionE. O. James (Oxford)

E. O. James (Oxford)

AnthropologistProfessor

19th – Scientific Investigation of Popular Tradition

“the term ‘folklore’ was first used casually by W. J. Thorns in 1846”

Oral Tradition

Oran Tradition

Folk Stories

Folk Institutions

Cult Practices

The Peasant Mystery and Rhythm of Life Climate and Environments Perplexing and Hazardous

Situations

“The Peasant resorted to Ritual Techniques Devised”

Touching the Deepest Needs and Desires

of the Human Spirit…”

Lore – • gives a Sense of

Assurance amid all the chances and changes of every day experiences.

• gives Stability to normal Routine.

Repetition in Act and Word gives Confidence

Right Order

Regulated

Behavior of Nature Human Order in

Stress

Seasons Health Fertility Well-

being

Control

Society

Strengthen

Human Emotions

“only one part (the literary part) of a

Folktales Myths Legends

Folk's lore.”

Folk Tale

Paul Bunyan Three Billy Goats Gruff

Ritual Combat Cycle

Theme: Good and EvilHero

“Bringing Good out of Evil”

Hero – “Semi-Divine Being”

Myth is not the

fantasy,

It is to confirm the accepted belief,

institutions, and sanctionsand to assure for the effectiveness of the

Cultus.

poetry, philosophy, and psychology etc.

A legend is a story

often believed to be true and in which the characters are usually considered historical.

Q. Why Performed Ritual?

Ritual

Visual (art)

Dramatic Expressi

on

“To Live or to Meet

Essential Human Needs”

“In Peasant Cultures, the Beliefs, Rituals and Customs Associated with the Basic Human Needs…”

Belief

RitesSymbol

sR

elig

ion

“dromenon – the Things

Done”the Words Spoken”

“muthos –

Dance

The Feast of the NativityCandlemass

The Babylonian Origins of Easter (Ishtar)

“Thus, Folklore was as Influential at a Crucial Turning Point in the History of

Religion…”

Peasant – Feast/Fasts

“Provide Needs in All Aspects as a Community”

FOLKLORE AND RELIGION:1. Religions (higher) by incorporating folk

material into its own faith and practice has given a new vigor, meaning, significance and function to popular beliefs and customs, and so enabled them to acquire a fresh survival value.

2. The basic themes and cultic patterns in oral tradition, documentary texts, tales and legends, myth and ritual, sacred drama and dance, have been preserved, evaluated and carried on from age to age, culture to culture, religion to religion.