Folklore has survived thousands of years carried over by word of mouth. They have ancient wisdom embedded in them and also the message not to meddle with Nature and fellow creatures.
I recently came across an article on folklore from different parts of the world published by Hindustan Times in its Sunday Magazine section. A gist of a few are given below as I found them really share worthy :
From Andaman And Nicobar Islands
Myths have depicted trees as wanderers and transporters of weary travellers. However, once a group of villagers dug up the forests for riches and asked the trees to carry the excavated precious resources to their homes. The trees rebelled and refused to move. Since then they are rooted at their spots.
From Arunachal Pradesh
It is said that there was a time when death did not exist. The old suffered and withered away painfully whereas the young fought for food. Raja Kachu, the local king, decided to secretly bury himself in the forest to leave more for his people. A loyal subject looking for the king found a bird and a hornet weeping over his grave. Moved , the subject carried back some of the soil from the grave and along with it the ability to die and mourn over death.
From Khasi Tribe Of Meghalaya
In Khasi the peacock’s feather is known as Ummat Ka Sngi or Teers of the Sun Goddess. It is said that all peacocks were once dull grey. One day a vain and ambitious bird named U Klew flew all the way to the abode of the lonely Sun Goddess, Ka Sngi. Thrilled to have a companion, the Goddess showered all her attention on him neglecting the earth. Seeing this a clever woman sowed mustards in the field in such a way that it looked like a golden woman. U Klew was tricked and flew back leaving Ka Sngi. The grief stricken Goddess shed copious tears which fell on the peacock’s feather and created vibrant spots. Since then peacocks cannot take long flights but they greet Ka Sngi spreading their feathers every morning.
From Puducherry
In Puducherry it is believed that mermaids dwell in the Bay of Bengal calling out to local fishermen in captivating tones. Treat them respectfully the fishermen will be lulled to sleep and wake up to find their net full of fish. Disrespect them you may never be seen again.
From Bagia Tribe of Madhya Pradesh
A man called Latiya used a magic spell to conjure a tiger and tigress out of a tree so that they could eat his unwanted son. Instead the animals adopted the kid and raised him with care. When they became old the son started taking care of them even learning to hunt so that he could bring food for them. As a result of this unexpected bond between the animals and the tribe to this day Bagia will not harm a tiger.
From Tripura
A man was so busy playing the flute that he neglected to watch over his child who was taken away by a bear. The devastated wife cursed her husband that he would be born a bird with a beak like a flute with a harsh tone and that he would be responsible for caring and gathering food for his family flying far and wide. To this day the male hornbills forage for food while the females watch over the nests and keep the chicks safe till they can fly.
From Himachal Pradesh
On a scorching summer day, a selfish and cruel woman overworked her buffaloes and abandoned them to attend a village fair. Parched and exhausted the buffaloes died cursing her in the final moment. As a result, she was born as Jackobin Cuckoo or the chataka, crying out for water throughout summer quenching her thirst only after the arrival of rains.
The message of all these folklore is to take care of Nature, family, fellow human beings and fellow creatures so that an everlasting bond of kinship is forged not only between humans but also between humans and animals and humans and Nature.
Let me know how you like the stories. Also tell me about the folklore of your country and what they teach.
(Source : Weekend Page of Hindustan Times – 24.08.2025)
