I’m more of a mythologist than a folklorist; my wife (and sole collaborator on this blog) is the inverse. As a result, I get to hear more… Read more “The Blue Band: Stith Thompson and the Folklore Index.”
Category: Folktales
Anansi: Weaver of Stories
Imagine this: the Sky God, Nyame, has possession of all of the stories in the world. You, however, are a trickster by nature; stories are your essential… Read more “Anansi: Weaver of Stories”
The Woman With The Laughing Skull: A Siberian Tale
Imagine leading a semi-nomadic life in Siberia, traveling in small groups that either tracked reindeer or hunted sea mammals. Life would be harsh, especially in the Winter.… Read more “The Woman With The Laughing Skull: A Siberian Tale”
The Dead of Winter: the Wendigo is Hungry
While cannibalism has occurred ritualistically in temperate climes and cultures, the idea of being driven to eating human flesh because one is stuck in the freezing cold… Read more “The Dead of Winter: the Wendigo is Hungry”
Hebrew Folk Magic and Lilith
Even if you casually read the first few pages of the Biblical book of Genesis, you’ll notice something. There isn’t just one creation account – there are… Read more “Hebrew Folk Magic and Lilith”
Werewolves Versus Witches: the Peculiar Trial of Theiss of Kaltenbrun
Imagine this: the year is 1691, and you are a judge for the Swedish town of Jürgensburg. Recently, there was a theft from the local Lutheran Church,… Read more “Werewolves Versus Witches: the Peculiar Trial of Theiss of Kaltenbrun”
White Woman Creek: A Kansas Ghost Story
Western Kansas is desolate, even today. Imagine what it was like over a century ago. Yet, white settlers pushed on through it… They pushed through, but it… Read more “White Woman Creek: A Kansas Ghost Story”
Mae Nak: A Thai Ghost Story
Imagine this: you are a newlywed, living in Thailand, then known as Siam. Your wife, Mae, is beautiful, and madly in love with you. Life is good,… Read more “Mae Nak: A Thai Ghost Story”
The Kitchen God, Hopping Corpses and Other Things the Master Would Not Discuss
The Kitchen God, also sometimes known as the Stove God, is common to Chinese Folk Religion and Daoism. He goes by several other names; Zao Jun, Zao Shen and… Read more “The Kitchen God, Hopping Corpses and Other Things the Master Would Not Discuss”
The Fox as Familiar: Japanese Witchcraft
In the folklore of witchcraft, it isn’t unusual for a witch to a have an animal assistant, known as a familiar. Depending on the animal – and… Read more “The Fox as Familiar: Japanese Witchcraft”