Folk Tales of Asia

The stories that make us

- Shreya Acharya

A folk tale is a story passed down from generation to generation, often by word of mouth. Folk tales are inherently embedded in a culture, and in the modern world, as the tradition of oral storytelling has givenway to books and television, such tales are being collected and written down. Sometimes folk tales seek to explain the world around us. Sometimes they tell of real people and events. Whatever the objective, they are undoubtedly innovative, educational, and enchanting. Here is just a glimpse into the vast world of fascinating folk tales in different parts of Asia, and the history behind them.

Chasing the Tale

What are folk tales?

Storytelling is common to every culture, and storytellers have catered to the desire for a “good story” since the beginning of civilisation. We encounter stories daily, whether through the bedtime stories we read as children, parents and grandparents’ recitals, television, or other forms of literature or entertainment. Stories are all around us, and a part of us.

The terms “folklore” and “folk tales” are often used interchangeably, leading many to believe they refer to the same thing. However, folklore is an overarching term that refers to the collection of traditional stories of a community or culture, and can include art, songs, dances, sayings, myths, legends, tales, stories, beliefs, superstitions and practices, which all add up to a cultural heritage.