Identity Construction through Cultural Heritage of Folklore

Abstract

The great diversity in Pakistani folklore is evident from the distinguishedvariety of cultural folk assets of each province of Pakistan. The current paperexplores and analyses the most popular folklores, in the genres of both proseand poetry from the perspective of quest for identity. The paper tries to findout the answer to the question if Pakistani cultural heritage of oral traditioni.e., folklores have quest for identity or go beyond that. The paper alsoexplores the motives behind the search for identity. The translated folkloresare then analyzed qualitatively using interpretive method, particularly throughthe perspective of hermeneutic-interpretive research based on performancetheory of folklores. Hermeneutic-interpretive research technique is chosenhere because the folklores are based on the ideological and cultural traditionsof a specific region, and the proper understanding requires the study in thespecific relevant domain of hermeneutics. This research is important for thepropagation, preservation and revival of Pakistani culture as presentedthrough folklores. This research aims at developing the interest and draw theattention of researchers on cultures and traditions to revive and enliven therichness and fertility of varieties in Pakistani culture