A legend is a popular story transmitted by oral tradition, which exposes the history of an event or character, appealing to the use of real and imaginary elements. It has a set of characteristics that must be taken into account in order to distinguish it from other oral tradition stories.
Oral tradition
Legends are stories that are transmitted orally from one generation to another. This type of phenomenon is known as oral tradition. Although today there are many compendiums that have recorded the legends in writing, the origin of the legends is always oral.
It is common for there to be multiple versions of the same story, since each narrator can add their own details and nuances to the same legend.
Historical or real elements
Legends arise from events, characters or places that actually existed or still exist. Their importance has given them a space in popular conversations, and has led them to acquire a legendary character. They often feature iconic characters or heroes who embody specific cultural virtues or values.
Despite the real ingredient, the legends are endowed with a certain timelessness that gives them an air of mystery.
fantastic elements
The fact that legends are transmitted orally from generation to generation favors the story told to acquire exaggerated features or to be nourished by fantastic or wonderful elements that give significance to the story. Unexplained events that defy the logical explanation of the events narrated.
Some credibility
Legends are often presented in such a way that the listener or reader is willing to suspend disbelief and accept the story as possible or credible within the cultural context.
They represent a community
Unlike myths that make up a cosmogony or worldview, legends are only associated with specific facts in the context of a specific community.
From the above it is clear that legends have a function within the community in which they appeared, which can vary according to needs. Many legends contain a moral lesson or teaching intended to convey cultural values or life lessons. These lessons can be explicit or implicit in the story.
Changing meaning
Legends can have multiple interpretations and meanings over time, and are often adapted to the needs and values of the society in which they are told.
For example, the legend may have the function of warning locals about exposure to unnecessary dangers at night. They can also leave a warning about the consequences of inappropriate behavior. Entertainment is also a function of legend.
Associated with an environment
The social effectiveness of legends is limited to the scope or context of their appearance. Thus, for example, legends about ghosts in the forest or plains are only effective in those places and not in cities.
However, city dwellers who visit rural towns can enter the cultural dynamics of the legends while their stay extends.
Sometimes they can explain geographic features, place names, or the history of a particular community.
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