The Folktale, Old Wine in New Skin; Its Relevance to the Past and Contemporary Societies, with Particular Reference to Some Dagara Folktales of Ghana

Abstract

Since the beginning of civilization folktales have been a rich treasure coffer that provides insights into the lives and values of various societies at different periods of history. The narrating and listening process, based on both the physical and socio-cultural environment of the community offers the people the opportunity to discern the outcome of wise and imprudent actions in order to promote societal values. Despite maintaining their special themes in the different cultural milieus, folktales are rapidly responding to their changing environment as evidenced by recent publications on folklore and the internet as well as the contemporary digital entertainment and film making industry. In the wake of current globalization and its spill over effects, what the young generation of Dagaaba and indeed other cultures need is not just formal education but cultural literacy that grounds and portrays them in their own identity and tradition. As they explore their own folktales from a pragmatic and pedagogical point of view, it will afford them a broader perspective of their people and environment.