1. Introduction La Llorona (Spanish for The Weeping Woman) is a vengeful ghost figure in Mexican and Latin American folklore. She is described as a woman dressed in white, roaming near water, crying for her lost children. The legend is widely told in Mexico, Central America, and the southwestern United States, especially during Día de…

1. Introduction White Buffalo Calf Woman (Ptesáŋwiŋ) is a central figure in Lakota spirituality and oral tradition. She is considered a sacred woman of supernatural origin who brought the Seven Sacred Rites to the Lakota people. Her story blends myth, religion, and cultural identity, making her one of the most revered figures in Native American…

1. Introduction John Henry is one of the most enduring figures in American folklore, celebrated as a symbol of human strength, perseverance, and resistance against industrialization. Known as the “steel‑driving man”, his legend tells of a contest against a steam‑powered drill, where he won but died from exhaustion. His story has been preserved in folk…

1. Introduction Myths and folklore are traditional narrative forms that have shaped cultures across the world. They serve as vehicles of cultural identity, moral instruction, and explanations of natural or social phenomena. While often grouped together, myths and folklore have distinct characteristics: Myths: Stories involving gods, supernatural beings, or cosmic events, often explaining origins or…

1. Introduction American civic folklore refers to stories, legends, and cultural narratives that celebrate national heroes and events, often blending fact and myth. Paul Revere (1735–1818) is one of the most iconic figures in American civic folklore. His legendary “Midnight Ride” on April 18, 1775, warning colonists of British troop movements, has been immortalized in…

Introduction The Inuit are Indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Alaska (USA), Canada, Greenland, and Chukotka (Russia). Known for their resilience and deep connection to the land, the Inuit have developed a rich cultural heritage shaped by one of the harshest environments on Earth. This case study explores their history, social structure, spiritual beliefs,…

I. Introduction The Gullah people, also known as Gullah Geechee, are descendants of enslaved Africans who live in the Lowcountry region of the southeastern United States, particularly in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. They are renowned for preserving more of their African linguistic, cultural, and culinary heritage than any other African American community…