HOW CANADIAN FOLKLORE IS PART OF CANADAS IDENTITY

HOW CANADIAN FOLKLORE IS PART OF CANADAS IDENTITY

            The origin of Folklore is traced back in England where it was introduced as just a term in the year 1846. Today, it is used to refer to wisdom, human expression and information that is passed anonymously from one generation to the other and circulated as traditional cultural behavior. Although diverse ethno cultural and linguistic composition is against Canadian folklore description, there are books which structure it in a chronological fashion having four bodies of lore to reflect the traditions of main population groups of Canada: the aboriginal(Inuit, Indian), French Canadian, Anglo-Canadian (English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish) and other ethnic groups. This paper aims at answering some few questions; for instance why is Canadian folklore unique? How is it important even up to today?  How is it beneficial to Canadian people? And how is it part of Canadian identity? (Carmody, C., 2012).

Canadian identity denotes the unique characteristics, the culture and conditions to be termed as a Canadian as well as the expressions and symbols that set Canadians apart from the rest of the people in the world. Folklore is among the factors setting the Canadian identity. This is because contrally to the other countries whose folklore rotates around just imaginations and pure myths, in Canada the folklore’s are of diversified importance in educating explaining common phenomenon and their nature of celebrating diversity (Henderson, M. C, 2013).

Folklore in Canada basically consists of two broad elements; folk tradition of both the Indians and Eskimo also considered as the aboriginal people in the country and then the intrusive folk tradition of the later French and British races. To a considerable extend, each folklore has undergone development being influenced by the interaction with each other. A great deal has been realized in recording folk tales of the Indians, Eskimo and French Canadians; with very little attempts in English and Gaelic folklore fields (Fowke, E., 2012).

Among French Canadians, much folklore is still believed by the country people. Formerly, storytelling was a well-known and important personage. One among the ancient of primitive beliefs is that of buried treasure, legend which existed in numerous forms along St. Lawrence from Gaspe to Quebec. A typical story rotating around gold buried by the sailors at mount Sauteux foot and recently guarded by Gray Man. Gnomes and goblins repeatedly appear in the French Canada folklore with many stories of haunted homes and other current places. The damned souls are thought to paddle a huge canoe via the air; those remiss in performing religious routines, while in existence, are changed into various animals. To add on those beliefs concerning the general belief others still exist but denoting specific characters such as blue beard and sleeping beauty. This folklore basically provides greater and deeper insight to young generation on life and living. It is a better way of preparing life for young generation (Fowke & Henderson, 2014).

A large body of Indian lore also exists, although it has undergone several additions from its interaction with the whites. The lore possesses general characteristics of North American Indian folklore. It includes the mythological tales which concerns the world before it assumed its present form. Exact creation myths are almost wholly lacking; but the origin myths explaining the phenomenon in present-day life. Glooscap, a man –gold famous among the Indians of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland as well as elsewhere, is archetypal of the hero considered as responsible for numerous culture aspects and topography changes. This explanation contains some answers to the generations to come since they explain the reasons behind the existence of the world and traces the origin under simple explanation (Lambert, R.S.,2012).

The second class of legend is apprehensive with the pranks of trickster who was presented either as an animal or a buffoon bestowed with human characteristic. The trickster is identified with the culture hero. This important since it conveys the message even without personalizing or pinpointing specific people, to the children and some other people it makes them easily understand the relevance of the story as the animal character is simplified (Carpenter,C.H., 2014).

A third class aims at describing the life of human beings under some conditions which resemble the present; they are however full of wonderful and abound in transformations, ogres, journey to the other world and magic. The Eskimo are considered poor however in the myths and trickster explanatory. As a result they provide greater and very deep insight to life and how to live. They are thus a better preparation to young generation on how to lead a good life(Fowke & Henderson, 2014).

In conclusion, listen to any Canadian folklore and you will get to know the lifestyle beliefs and culture of Canadian’s. From the word go, on how they trace their origin to the normal cultural beliefs and practices it gives a clear picture of the distinction of these people as compared to the folklore’s extracted from other countries. This is out of its step by step approach to explain circumstances and lessons which can be extracted from such tales. Contrally, to folktales from different cultures which basically aim at entertainment with small bits of lessons.