Cognitive Roots of Folklore: Understanding the Interplay between Mind Culture and Traditional Narratives

Dr. Sarbani Sankar Panigrahi

Abstract 

This article explores the complex relationship between folklore and mind culture, focusing on how traditional narratives are shaped by cognitive processes. Folklore, as a repository of collective wisdom and social memory, plays a crucial role in the development and transmission of cultural knowledge. By examining the cognitive roots of folklore, the article investigates how stories, myths, and legends are not only vehicles for cultural identity but also function as cognitive tools that influence perception, memory, and understanding of the world. The article examines how traditional narratives serve as cognitive templates, organizing and simplifying complex social and natural phenomena. These narratives are passed down through generations, reinforcing shared values, norms, and social roles while also adapting to changing cultural contexts. The article also explores how folklore impacts individual and collective memory, particularly in how myths and stories are internalized and recalled within the cultural consciousness. Through the mind culture, this study highlights the dynamic interaction between individual cognition and the broader cultural narratives that shape it. By understanding these cognitive processes, the article offers new insights into the function of folklore not only as a cultural artifact but as an active component in the cognitive landscape of human societies.

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Published: May 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 05]

Women's Role in the Cultural Transmission of the Ramayana

Dr. Abinash Gayen

Abstract

The Ramayana, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient Indian literature, has been a significant influence on culture, art, and spirituality across generations. While traditionally perceived as a male-cantered narrative, the role of women in the transmission of the Ramayana has been pivotal in shaping its enduring legacy. This paper examines the dynamic and multifaceted involvement of women in the cultural transmission of the Ramayana, exploring their roles as active participants in the preservation, interpretation, and dissemination of its stories.

       Historically, women have contributed as storytellers, poets, performers, and spiritual leaders, influencing both oral and written traditions. In the family setting, women have been instrumental in passing down the epic through oral recitations, where they often embody the virtues and trials of characters like Sita, Kaikeyi, and Urmila. Women have also played a key role in performing arts, such as dance, theatre, and music, ensuring that the Ramayana reached diverse audiences.

       The paper explores how women, particularly in communities across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the diaspora, have adapted the Ramayana’s narrative to reflect local customs, beliefs, and social structures, thereby enriching the text’s significance. Moreover, the role of women as both guardians of tradition and as reformers of cultural narratives has been crucial in the evolving interpretations of the Ramayana, from ancient times to the modern era. The study calls for a re-examination of the Ramayana through a gender-inclusive lens, acknowledging the profound and lasting impact of women in its cultural perpetuation.

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Published: December 2024 [Vol. 07, No. 12]