EDITORIAL

Abstract

Folk Literature of any kind in any part of the world is the first expression of mankind in the oral or written form of language. It retains the primitive simplicity and candidness of man. The folk tales, songs, ballads, proverbs, riddles and puzzles represent the variety and novelty of folk life and culture. On one hand, each piece of folk literature imbibes the honest emotions and passions of a particular community and expresses its identity, on the other hand, it is also a historical document of each community’s struggle against nature and forces of civilization. In a broad sense, it addresses to primary human concerns and needs to which generations of mankind return for inspiration and amusement. Abrona Lee rightly comments, “Our folk beliefs, tales, legends and myths are the avenues through which we can embark upon that wonderful journey back to our roots, back to where we belong.” Its expression is often direct and devoid of affectation, hence, it has its own distinct magic of originality that demands a new poetics to appreciate and evaluate it.