ORAL FOLKLORE
Oral folklore is "the lore that circulates from person to person by word of mouth." For example, most people who aren't Star Wars fans would be unable to give you a rundown of Episodes 1-6, but almost all of them have heard quotes from the movies and can even attribute them to their life.
Proverbs
Star Wars is full of snippets of wisdom, such as that from Grand Master Yoda, who says, "Do, or do not. There is no try." But even lesser than that, what child hasn't stood behind an oscillating or box fan and declared, "Luke. I am your father"? Just as many people don't know the origins of their favorite proverbs and phrases, many don't even realize what a profound impact entertainment such as Star Wars has had on them, their parents, or their friends.
Folk Speech
Though not as obvious, syntactical variations are heard in Star Wars movies. For example, Yoda often creates sentences out of words others would consider backward, though many Star Wars fans could imitate him even without quoting the movie. Yoda's syntax can be read in the following quote: "Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealously. The shadow of greed, that is.” Another character with a strange syntactical variation in the Star Wars universe is Jar-Jar Binx, though to even speak his name throughout some fandom groups is a tragedy beyond words.
Folk Song
Though not traditional in folklore, a genre of music has broken out through the hearts of fandoms. Wizard Rock Groups are bands within the Harry Potter fandom. Songs are about J.K. Rowling's wizarding world, and band names include Harry and the Potters and Draco and the Malfoys.
Another musical genre of fandom is called nerdcore. Nerdcore is a type of hip-hop music specifically geared toward those of us interested in things others may deem as "nerdy." Songs by nerdcore artists include A World of Warcraft Rap by artist Fatty, Revenge of the Spliff by Chemist the Menace, and Superhero Swag by Alpha Riff.
CUSTOMARY FOLKLORE
To quote Brunvand, "Customs have sometimes been presented in folklore collections under such labels as "folkways," "usages," or "social institutions," or they are included in collections together with superstitions or material folklore." (Brunvand, p. 405) Basically, customary folklore is whatever a folk group includes in its traditions and as part of its culture. For example, many Star Wars fans use the phrase, "May the Force be with you," as an offering of good will and faith, to tell one to keep his or her wits about him and balance within his soul. Star Trek fans may part with the phrase, "Live long and prosper."
Beliefs
Of course, most fandoms don't hold their idols to an actual belief system. Many fans of Star Wars, however, have officially registered their religion as "Jedi" in an annual consensus. In the 2011 census, over 65,000 Australians had officially registered their religion as "Jedi." In Canada, that number is over 20,000. In England and Wales, over 390,000 people have listed themselves as Jedi Knights. Though largely viewed as a joke or a way to "get one over" on their governments, there are several organizations which have core values of Jedi Knights, and truly consider themselves one with The Force.
Festivals
Also included in customary folklore would, of course, be fan conventions. San Diego's Comic-Con is far and away the largest event held, but many smaller venues and organizations put together shows annually for fandoms of all groups to gather. Even more specifically are fandom groups with their own conventions, such as Harry Potter's annual Leaky Con.
Gestures
"A true folk gesture is kept alive by traiditon and exhibits some varation in action and meaning. Like customs, folk gestures tend to pattern themselves within national boundaries." Folk gestures can be the ways in which a culture points to themselves - Americans point to their chests, while many Asian people will point to their noses. Handshakes generally denote professionalism, while high-fives are casual. A military salute is a sign of respect in that setting.
In the Star Trek fandom, fans will hold up a hand, palm out, holding the middle and index fingers apart from their ring fingers and pinkies, forming a V in a clear Vulcan Salute. Fans of Spider-Man can hold their arms out, palms upward and wrists out, with their hands in a traditional form of "I love you" in American Sign Language, gesturing with their arms as if they were throwing spider webs. A Star Wars fan might wave his hand near his face in a upward motion to initiate a Jedi Mind Trick.
MATERIAL FOLKLORE
Folk Art and Crafts
Folk art is "usually thought of as amateur labor resulting in traditional homemade objects that are primarily functional." (Brunvand, p.544) Again, though not traditionally thought as such, creations by fans are almost as important to them as the fandom itself. Fans of many different genres love to create costumes, knit hats, sweaters, and toys, create and commission what is called "fan art," and create wearable pieces, such as jewelry and keychains.
Brunvard says that details of traditional dress and adornment among standard folk costumes are important among standardized general aspects of costume. This is important because fans who create or buy and piece together their own costumes slave over every detail. Costumes are sometimes the most important part of conventions, other than the social interaction itself. Many groups take cosplay - or costume roleplay - incredibly seriously, and use their costumes for more than just enjoying the experience. Members of the 501st and Rebel Legions create costumes and use them to promote interest in Star Wars, but also make guest appearances at conventions, volunteer work, and charity functions free of charge.
Many people create costumes for one-time use, such as Halloween or a party, and many buy them for their children. Children, it seems, get the most use out of their costumes, as some will strip themselves of traditional clothes the minute they get home from school and don their costume until bedtime, where they will switch to comfortable pajamas bearing the same faces of the masks they just removed.
Oral folklore is "the lore that circulates from person to person by word of mouth." For example, most people who aren't Star Wars fans would be unable to give you a rundown of Episodes 1-6, but almost all of them have heard quotes from the movies and can even attribute them to their life.
Proverbs
Star Wars is full of snippets of wisdom, such as that from Grand Master Yoda, who says, "Do, or do not. There is no try." But even lesser than that, what child hasn't stood behind an oscillating or box fan and declared, "Luke. I am your father"? Just as many people don't know the origins of their favorite proverbs and phrases, many don't even realize what a profound impact entertainment such as Star Wars has had on them, their parents, or their friends.
Folk Speech
Though not as obvious, syntactical variations are heard in Star Wars movies. For example, Yoda often creates sentences out of words others would consider backward, though many Star Wars fans could imitate him even without quoting the movie. Yoda's syntax can be read in the following quote: "Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealously. The shadow of greed, that is.” Another character with a strange syntactical variation in the Star Wars universe is Jar-Jar Binx, though to even speak his name throughout some fandom groups is a tragedy beyond words.
Folk Song
Though not traditional in folklore, a genre of music has broken out through the hearts of fandoms. Wizard Rock Groups are bands within the Harry Potter fandom. Songs are about J.K. Rowling's wizarding world, and band names include Harry and the Potters and Draco and the Malfoys.
CUSTOMARY FOLKLORE
To quote Brunvand, "Customs have sometimes been presented in folklore collections under such labels as "folkways," "usages," or "social institutions," or they are included in collections together with superstitions or material folklore." (Brunvand, p. 405) Basically, customary folklore is whatever a folk group includes in its traditions and as part of its culture. For example, many Star Wars fans use the phrase, "May the Force be with you," as an offering of good will and faith, to tell one to keep his or her wits about him and balance within his soul. Star Trek fans may part with the phrase, "Live long and prosper."
Beliefs
Of course, most fandoms don't hold their idols to an actual belief system. Many fans of Star Wars, however, have officially registered their religion as "Jedi" in an annual consensus. In the 2011 census, over 65,000 Australians had officially registered their religion as "Jedi." In Canada, that number is over 20,000. In England and Wales, over 390,000 people have listed themselves as Jedi Knights. Though largely viewed as a joke or a way to "get one over" on their governments, there are several organizations which have core values of Jedi Knights, and truly consider themselves one with The Force.
 |
| Interviewee Ed Linihan's youngest boys on Halloween. |
Festivals
Also included in customary folklore would, of course, be fan conventions. San Diego's Comic-Con is far and away the largest event held, but many smaller venues and organizations put together shows annually for fandoms of all groups to gather. Even more specifically are fandom groups with their own conventions, such as Harry Potter's annual Leaky Con.
Gestures
"A true folk gesture is kept alive by traiditon and exhibits some varation in action and meaning. Like customs, folk gestures tend to pattern themselves within national boundaries." Folk gestures can be the ways in which a culture points to themselves - Americans point to their chests, while many Asian people will point to their noses. Handshakes generally denote professionalism, while high-fives are casual. A military salute is a sign of respect in that setting.
In the Star Trek fandom, fans will hold up a hand, palm out, holding the middle and index fingers apart from their ring fingers and pinkies, forming a V in a clear Vulcan Salute. Fans of Spider-Man can hold their arms out, palms upward and wrists out, with their hands in a traditional form of "I love you" in American Sign Language, gesturing with their arms as if they were throwing spider webs. A Star Wars fan might wave his hand near his face in a upward motion to initiate a Jedi Mind Trick.
MATERIAL FOLKLORE
 |
| A Yoda hat I knitted for my own padawan. |
Folk art is "usually thought of as amateur labor resulting in traditional homemade objects that are primarily functional." (Brunvand, p.544) Again, though not traditionally thought as such, creations by fans are almost as important to them as the fandom itself. Fans of many different genres love to create costumes, knit hats, sweaters, and toys, create and commission what is called "fan art," and create wearable pieces, such as jewelry and keychains.
Folk Costumes
Brunvard says that details of traditional dress and adornment among standard folk costumes are important among standardized general aspects of costume. This is important because fans who create or buy and piece together their own costumes slave over every detail. Costumes are sometimes the most important part of conventions, other than the social interaction itself. Many groups take cosplay - or costume roleplay - incredibly seriously, and use their costumes for more than just enjoying the experience. Members of the 501st and Rebel Legions create costumes and use them to promote interest in Star Wars, but also make guest appearances at conventions, volunteer work, and charity functions free of charge.Many people create costumes for one-time use, such as Halloween or a party, and many buy them for their children. Children, it seems, get the most use out of their costumes, as some will strip themselves of traditional clothes the minute they get home from school and don their costume until bedtime, where they will switch to comfortable pajamas bearing the same faces of the masks they just removed.
