Tradition, Creativity and Indigenous Knowledge: Winter School of International Folkloristics
Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi, INDIA
January 12 – 21, 2014
Contemporary approaches conceptualise folklore as a vernacular expressive practice embedded in social, communicative and political contexts. Whereas earlier scholarship emphasised the stability of folklore as a static and conservative body of knowledge, current research focuses on variation, change and creativity. However, even though synchronic approaches tend to dominate in international folkloristics, tradition has remained one of the key-concepts of the discipline, referring to the historical dimension of folklore and the cultural process of 'creating future out of the past' (H. Glassie). The creation and preservation of traditions is seen as an integral part of the everyday life of individuals, local communities and informal networks as well as states and various institutions.