noun

folklore

FOHK-lor/ˈfəʊklɔːr/

Stories and traditions passed down within a community or group.

The elder shares the community's folklore with an attentive circle of different generations.

A West African elder tells traditional stories to an attentive multigenerational circle under a tree, dignified contemporary clothing.

Etymology

+loreOld Englishlearning, knowledge, teaching

Folk names the people, while lore names what is learned or taught. Together they describe a community's inherited knowledge, especially beliefs, stories, and customs handed down orally.

In context

LifesBiggestQuestions58:54

the yonaguni monument is connect Ed to local Legends and myths the ryuku islands have a rich folklore

3 Hours Of Ancient Megalithic Structures That Humans Could Not Have Built

More examples

She collects songs and riddles from Appalachian folklore.
In local folklore, owls bring warnings of danger.
The festival celebrates the region's folklore through music and storytelling.

Forms

folklorist noun — Someone who studies traditional stories and customs.

folkloric adjective — Relating to traditional stories, beliefs, and customs.

Similar words

lore: Focuses on accumulated knowledge, not necessarily stories or customs.
mythology: Refers mainly to myths about gods, heroes, and origins.
tradition: Often names a particular inherited practice, belief, or custom.