Lecture 4_Principles of Folklore_Legends Myths Folktales and Memorates

Anthropology of the Supernatural

• Course Code: Anth 206

• Focus on beliefs and experiences related to supernatural beings such as witches, zombies, and vampires.

• Lecture 4: Principles of Folklore (Legends, Myths, Folktales, Memorates)

The Supernatural

• Definition: Existing or occurring through an agency beyond natural forces.

• Influenced by scientific thinking, particularly during the Scientific Revolution (1600-1700) and the Age of Enlightenment (1700-1800).

• Emphasizes the historical context that shaped these ideas.

Enchanted vs. Disenchanted Worldview

• Enchanted Worldview: Belief in supernatural influences; traditionally expected to diminish with the spread of science.

• Disenchanted Worldview: More scientific and rational perspectives that emerged.

• Question posed: Why did enchanted ways of knowing persist alongside scientific advancements?

Academic Approaches to the Supernatural

• E.B. Tylor: Proposed the Unilinear Cultural Evolutionary Theory; criticized for being racist and unsupported by empirical evidence.

• Evans-Pritchard: Studied the Azande; emphasized rationality in beliefs.

Ongoing Rationality Debate

• Lucien Lévy-Bruhl: Introduced "participatory consciousness," a way of thinking complementing rationality.

• Scholars like Tambiah, Greenwood, and Magliocco have continued to explore this concept.

The Phenomenology of Belief

• Involves the work of scholars like David Hufford and Shelly Adler.

• Explores two hypotheses: Cultural Source Hypothesis vs. Experience Source Hypothesis.

• Core experiences shape supernatural beliefs, interpreted through cultural lenses.

• Proposes biological bases for certain core experiences.

Importance of Life Experience

• Hufford argues that life experience should coexist with technical expertise to foster a holistic view of self and world.

• Critiques narrow views that dismiss spiritual beliefs as misguided.

• Advocates for folklore as a means to democratize cultural authority in discussions about beliefs.

Folklore and Folkloristics

• Folklore: Expressive culture reflecting a group's vernacular and unofficial narrative heritage, distinct from literature.

• Deeply influences literary production and media, known as the folkloresque.

Supernatural Genres

• Types of Stories: Includes legends, memorates, myths, and folktales, each with supernatural themes.

Genre Problems

• Western categories don’t always apply to non-Western narratives; ideal for folklore scholars but fail to capture the fluidity of storytelling.

Characteristics of Legends

• Definition: Believable narratives set in real-world contexts involving supernatural events.

• Examples include the legend of King Arthur and the Sasquatch.

• Variability: Legends can take many forms including stories, statements, or actions (ostension).

Legend Style and Structure

• Typically told in 3rd person, authenticating credibility through relatable narratives.

• Structure: Introduces elements, builds climax, and often concludes with open questions or warnings.

Functions of Legend

• Inform, educate, or warn about cultural dangers; provoke conversations around reality and belief.

• Belief in legends can vary within communities and individuals.

Related Genres: Memorates and Rumors

• Memorate: Personal narrative of a supernatural experience, usually in 1st person.

• Rumors: Legends as statements, verifiable or not; often arise from social uncertainty.

Legend Complexes

• Clusters of interrelated legends about specific themes or locations, e.g., Area 51 and UFO legends.

Anti-Legends and Ostension

• Anti-Legends: Scientific explanations attempting to rationalize legends.

• Ostension: The act of enacting legends, can be found in media like ghost tours or horror films.

Legend Tripping

• Activity involving visits to supernatural locations, often as rites of passage for adolescents.

• Commercial versions include ghost hunting shows and tours.

Legend Content

• Often addresses cultural boundaries, e.g., life vs. death, good vs. evil, reality vs. the supernatural.

Common Legend Subjects

• Supernatural Subjects: Ghosts, witches, vampires, werewolves, and cryptids such as Bigfoot.

• Can also encompass historical legends or urban myths.

Myths and Folktales

• Myth: Concerns gods and heroes, explaining the world; holds sacred significance.

• Folktale: Set in imaginary worlds with supernatural figures; often includes moral lessons.

The Folkloresque

• Cultural appropriation of folklore in popular media for commercial purposes, feeling folkloric but being distinctly crafted.

Folklore vs. Popular Culture

• Folklore: Informally transmitted and creatively communicated without profit motives; endlessly variable.

• Popular Culture: Commercially driven and transmitted through mass media, often homogenized.

Effects of the Folkloresque

• Introduces cultural elements to broader audiences, potentially altering the original traditions.

Conclusion

• Understanding the origins and genre of supernatural stories is crucial for unraveling their meanings and effects in culture.

• Important to distinguish between genuine folkloric materials and commercial adaptations.

Upcoming Lectures

• 21 January: Exploration of ghosts and hauntings, assessments of the Final Essay Project.

• 23 January: Deep dive into legends and legend trips; introduction to hermeneutical methods.