Folklore: A Word Born in England, Rooted in Argentina

Folklore, a term coined in 1846 by British archaeologist William John Thoms, has become deeply embedded in Argentine cultural identity, encompassing music, dance, traditions, and customs. The word combines the Old English "folk" (people) and "lore" (knowledge), meaning "popular knowledge" Source: lavozar. In Argentina, it evolved beyond oral traditions to include regional cuisines, crafts, festivals, and rural life, with genres like zamba, chacarera, and cueca central to its musical expression Source: lavozar.

The Argentine connection

Argentina's folklore gained a distinct identity through regional studies and diffusion. The diversity of provinces is reflected in varied traditions, with music playing a central role. However, folklore is not limited to music; it represents a broader concept of living, creating, and celebrating Source: lavozar. The relationship between wine and folklore is also notable, as both are regional and evoke sensory memories, with wine symbolizing communion and identity Source: infobae.

The date's significance

August 22 marks both World Folklore Day and Argentine Folklore Day, honoring Thoms's coinage and the birth of Juan Bautista Ambrosetti in 1865, considered the "Father of Argentine folkloric science." The date was officially established in 1960 at the First International Folklore Congress in Buenos Aires, with representatives from 30 countries Source: infobae.

Key points

• The term "folklore" was first used by Thoms in a letter to The Athenaeum Source: infobae.
• Argentine folklore includes diverse regional expressions, from NOA's Andean influence to other areas Source: infobae.
• Wine and folklore both serve as sensory memory triggers, activating emotional processing in the brain Source: infobae.