"A nation's folklore is the voice of its people, but not every voice you hear is genuine."
Hi, it’s Folklifeandme again, and if you caught my last post, you’ll know that I dropped a pretty big topic—fakelore. I introduced the idea that not everything labeled as folklore is what it seems, but I didn’t really unpack the full scope of what this means. Let’s fix that.
So, today, I want to take a step back and provide a simple, yet powerful introduction to the concept of fakelore, so that even if you’ve never heard of it, by the end of this blog, you’ll be ready to dive deeper into this fascinating and important topic. And don’t worry—it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Even a secondary student can grasp what’s at stake when we talk about fakelore, and the centuries of debate behind it will only make the story more captivating.
The Birth of Fakelore: More Than a Modern Problem
To understand fakelore, we need to rewind history, specifically to the 20th century, when folklore studies as an academic discipline began to flourish. Folklorist Richard Dorson, often considered the father of American folklore studies, coined the term "fakelore" in the 1950s. He was concerned that mass media and commercialization were diluting authentic folk traditions, fabricating new stories, and selling them to the public as "real folklore."
But this issue didn’t start with Dorson, nor did it end with him. The tension between what is “authentic” and what is “manufactured” has been an undercurrent in folklore studies for centuries. Way back in the 19th century, when scholars like Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were collecting folktales, there were already questions about how much of what was being recorded was true to tradition versus
filtered through the collectors’ own perspectives.
While the Grimm Brothers were trying to capture the oral traditions of rural Germany, many critics argue that even their collections were selectively edited to fit nationalistic and romantic ideals. This begs the question: how much of what we consider "classic" folklore today was, in fact, influenced by the fakelore of its time?
What Exactly is Fakelore?
At its core, fakelore is a fabricated or distorted version of folklore. Unlike authentic folklore, which is passed down organically from generation to generation within a community, fakelore is created—often with a particular agenda. This could be for entertainment, commercial gain, or political purposes. The stories may seem traditional, but they lack the deep-rooted connections to the communities they claim to represent.
Take the example of Paul Bunyan, the giant lumberjack of American folklore. Many believe his tales have roots in the logging communities of North America. But when scholars like Dorson dug deeper, they discovered that much of the Paul Bunyan story we know today was actually invented by advertisers in the early 20th century to sell products. What was once a cultural figure becoming an icon of fakelore, manufactured for mass appeal.
Why Fakelore Matters More Than Ever
You might wonder: why does it even matter? Stories are stories, right? Well, not quite. The distinction between folklore and fakelore isn’t just about what’s real or fake—it’s about cultural integrity and heritage preservation. Authentic folklore carries the history, beliefs, and values of a community. It is a living archive, shaped over generations by the people who tell it.
Fakelore, on the other hand, strips away that organic growth, replacing it with something designed to sell or entertain. The result? Communities may lose their connection to their own traditions, or worse, their culture could be misrepresented in ways that serve external interests rather than their own.
In our digital age, the stakes are even higher. Fakelore can spread faster than ever before and distinguishing between authentic cultural expressions and fabricated ones has become increasingly difficult. Folklorists today, like Alan Dundes and Barre Toelken, have continued to explore how folklore adapts and transforms in modern society, particularly with the influence of media. Dundes, for example, argued that folklore isn't static, but a constantly evolving process—yet even he warned against oversimplified or commercialized versions of traditional stories.
A Path Forward: Why We Should Care
So, where does that leave us? Well, I’m not here to say we should reject all modern interpretations of folklore. After all, culture is fluid, and stories evolve naturally over time. But what I am saying is that it’s important to be aware of how and why these stories change—and who benefits from those changes.
By understanding the difference between folklore and fakelore, we can make sure that we’re preserving the true heart of our cultural heritage. As Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett has suggested in her work, folklore isn’t just about the past—it’s about how we engage with cultural practices today. And that makes it all the more crucial to discern what’s authentic and what’s a clever imitation.
Looking Ahead: The Journey Has Just Begun
This blog is just the beginning of a larger conversation. There’s so much more to explore when it comes to fakelore, and I’m excited to take that journey with you. From how digital media transforms traditional stories to the ongoing commercialization of folklore in tourism and entertainment, there are layers to uncover that will deepen our understanding of what’s at stake.
So, if you found this introduction intriguing, stay tuned—there’s a lot more to come. In the next posts, I’ll dig deeper into how fakelore spreads, the role of modern media, and how we can protect authentic traditions in a world that’s constantly looking for the next big cultural trend.
Until then, remember not every story that feels traditional is as old as it seems. And learning to recognize that distinction is the key to preserving what truly matters in our cultural heritage.
That’s it for now, but trust me, we’re just getting started. I can’t wait to share more with you in the next part of this journey.
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