The term ‘folk’ encompasses a wide range of meanings and interpretations—ranging from ‘natural’ and ‘native’ to ‘traditional,’ ‘rural,’ and sometimes even ‘from the heart.’ These heartfelt expressions of traditional or indigenous communities eventually evolve into what we recognize as folklore.

Folklore consists primarily of oral traditions—the collective knowledge, beliefs, and stories of cultures that often lack a written language. This body of knowledge is typically passed down through generations by word of mouth. Much like written literature, folklore includes both prose and verse narratives, along with myths, dramas, rituals, and more. Every culture possesses its own unique folklore.

In contrast, literature is traditionally understood as written works, distinguishing it from the orally transmitted nature of folklore.