Category Archives: Folk Beliefs

The Legend of Bigfoot

Text: “So, I’ve definitely heard a lot about Bigfoot, mostly in places like Washington and Oregon, but also in California. Apparently, this huge, hairy creature just roams around the forests, and people have been talking about it for ages. It’s like this big, ape-like thing that’s supposedly always there, but no one ever really sees it. You hear stories about people finding giant footprints in the woods, or about hearing weird noises late at night, and they swear it’s Bigfoot, but there’s never any proof.

I actually went on this Bigfoot hiking tour once in Washington, hoping to see something, but of course, we didn’t. They showed us these footprint casts and told us some stories about people who claim they saw it. It’s kinda funny how people get so into it, but honestly, the mystery of it all is what makes it cool. Like, we didn’t see anything, but I still thought it was awesome to just walk through the woods, hearing these stories. I mean, it’s such a random thing to believe in, but it’s still fun to think about.”

Context: Growing up in the U.S., the informant was always aware of Bigfoot, especially through friends and stories they’d hear when talking about hiking or camping trips. It was something people joked about or brought up in passing, especially when out in the woods or forests. The informant didn’t grow up hearing personal stories or having any major connections to Bigfoot, but it was part of the overall cultural fabric—like something you’d hear about in TV shows or from people in areas like the Pacific Northwest. They got more curious about it after taking the Bigfoot tour, but ultimately, they don’t take it too seriously. It’s more of a fun legend, and something people like to talk about when they’re in the right setting.

Analysis: Bigfoot is one of those legends that sticks around, not because a majority of people truly believe in it, but because it’s fun to talk about. It’s a story that plays into the idea of the unknown, which is something people always seem to enjoy. Whether or not anyone actually thinks Bigfoot exists, it becomes part of the culture of the places where these stories are told—especially in areas like the Pacific Northwest, where there’s so much wild, untamed nature. Legends like this thrive because they add a layer of mystery to the world around us. It’s not necessarily about finding proof of Bigfoot, but more about having something to wonder about, something that sparks conversation and keeps a bit of the unknown alive. Even though it’s mostly just a fun story, it connects people to the land and to each other, whether it’s around a campfire or while hiking through the forest. And that’s what keeps it relevant—because as long as people keep telling these stories, they’ll keep Bigfoot alive, even if it’s just in spirit.

Informant Info

Race/Ethnicity: White

Age: 21

Occupation: Student

Residence: Oak Park, CA

Date of Performance: April 1, 2025

Primary Language: English

Other Language(s): N/A

Relationship: Friend

The Legend of Johnny Appleseed

Text: “I remember hearing stories about Johnny Appleseed when I was a kid, and people always talked about him like he was some kind of folk hero. I think the thing that stands out the most was how he was always described as this kind of wild, free spirit. He was a man on a mission, you know? He didn’t care much for stuff like owning land or having a lot of money—he just wandered around planting apple trees everywhere. They said he wore a pot on his head, too.
The real story, though, was about his apples. He planted apple orchards all across the Oregon trail to near Washington. And he didn’t charge people for the trees or anything. He just gave them away. I always heard he did it because he wanted people to have food and to be able to grow their own.
The way the story goes, though, it’s kind of like a legend. Some people say he could talk to animals, or that the trees he planted grew faster than normal. I don’t know how much of that’s true, but it’s definitely the kind of thing people love to exaggerate about a guy like Johnny.”

Context: This story was shared by the informant, who learned about Johnny Appleseed as a young child in school. The informant was not born in the United States, and hearing these stories was part of their introduction to American culture. As a child, the informant was fascinated by the figure of Johnny Appleseed, who was presented as a heroic figure in the classroom, a symbol of American frontier life. The informant recalls how Johnny Appleseed was portrayed as a wild, free spirit who traveled across the country planting apple trees, embodying selflessness and generosity. These stories, filled with admiration for Johnny Appleseed, shaped the informant’s early understanding of American folklore and culture.

Analysis: This story of Johnny Appleseed fits perfectly into the category of legend, blending real historical elements with exaggerations that elevate the figure to mythic status. The informant highlights the core aspects of the legend—Johnny’s wandering spirit, his selflessness in planting apple trees, and the generous nature of giving away those trees for free. These elements are characteristic of folklore heroes, who often represent ideals like community, altruism, and harmony with nature.

The details that are exaggerated—such as the ability to communicate with animals or the trees growing unnaturally fast—show how legends grow over time. Such embellishments serve to reinforce Johnny Appleseed’s larger-than-life status, making him a figure whose story transcends simple historical fact to become a symbol of something greater, such as the American frontier spirit.

In American folklore, figures like Johnny Appleseed represent the pioneering spirit, an idealized version of self-sufficiency and generosity. His legend embodies the ethos of the early frontier days, where individuals were seen as part of a larger effort to settle and cultivate the land. The informant’s story underscores how these legends are passed down, not just as historical accounts, but as narratives that shape cultural identity and values, focusing on ideals like giving, adventure, and the connection between humanity and the natural world.

Informant Info

Race/Ethnicity: White

Age: 63

Occupation: Talent Acquisition Manager

Residence: Oak Park, CA

Date of Performance: April 1, 2025

Primary Language: English

Other Language(s): Hungarian, German

Relationship: Parent

Mommy’s Magic Medicine

Text: “Growing up a little ritual we had when we were younger kids was that every time we got injured my mom would put Neosporin on our little cut or scrape and call it Mommy’s magic medicine. And so every single time I got hurt as a kid I remember my mom putting the Neosporin on my cut and at the time I didn’t know it was Neosporin, I always only knew it as Mommy’s magic medicine. And so I always felt relieved when that happened and it’s something that has resonated with me my whole life.”

Context: This story was shared by the informant, a law school student, who reflected on a childhood ritual involving minor injuries and the comforting presence of their mother. The informant recalls that whenever they got a cut or scrape, their mother would apply Neosporin while calling it “Mommy’s magic medicine.” At the time, the informant didn’t recognize it as a commercial product—they only understood it as something their mother used to make them feel better. This phrase, repeated over many years, became a deeply ingrained part of their childhood experience and remains a memorable, emotionally significant ritual that they continue to associate with safety, love, and maternal care.

Analysis: This is a great example of folk medicine in a family setting. Even though Neosporin is a store-bought product, the way the mom framed it as “Mommy’s magic medicine” gave it a kind of homemade, personal meaning. It wasn’t just about the ointment—it became a small ritual that the informant associated with healing and comfort. Calling it “magic” added a sense of wonder, and also helped make the pain feel less serious or scary.

This kind of thing is really common in folk medicine, where the emotional support is just as important as the treatment itself. Parents often use little sayings, routines, or made-up names to soothe their kids, and those moments become part of how children learn to handle pain or fear. In this case, the ritual shows how folk practices can exist right alongside modern medicine—what matters is the meaning attached to it. For the informant, that meaning stuck with them, even long after they found out what Neosporin actually was.

Informant Info

Race/Ethnicity: White

Age: 23

Occupation: Student

Residence: Oak Park, CA

Date of Performance: April 22, 2025

Primary Language: English

Other Language(s): N/A

Relationship: Brother

Flight Ritual

Nationality: American
Age: 57
Occupation: Dance Studio Owner
Residence: Downers Grove, IL
Language: English

Ritual:

“Whenever I fly, I say the Lord’s Prayer, then repeat “please bless this flight, please bless this flight, please bless this flight.” I do this twice on the ground once we leave the gate and once as the plane is starting to climb.”

Context:

My informant told me that she started this ritual when she was 25 years old. For many years, she had to travel almost every week for her job, so she flew frequently. However, she has a fear of heights as well as motion sickness, so flights always made her nervous. She does not fly as often anymore, but she still performs the ritual when she does. She is Catholic, so saying the Lord’s Prayer is a way to try to combat her flight anxiety.

Analysis:

What is interesting about my informant’s ritual is that she uses something institutionally recognized — the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”) — in a folkloric way. Her ritual is apotropaic, meaning that the intention behind her saying the Lord’s Prayer and repeating “please bless this flight” is to protect the flight she is on from any harm. What is also interesting about this ritual is her repeating “please bless this flight” three times. Early on in the semester, we talked in class about the cultural significance, specifically in the United States, of the use of threes. Interestingly enough, threes in the United States, for many Americans, represent balance, which is then equated to goodness. So, her repetition of “please bless this flight” three times is another symbol of her protecting her flight, even if she does not realize it.

Folk Medicine for Cramps and Illness

Nationality: Mexican
Age: 24
Occupation: College Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Folk Medicine:

My informant told me that she uses alcohol paper and the California Yerba Santa plant for discomfort and pain.

Context:

“Ever since I got my period the first time and cramps became a regular thing in my life, my mom passed down her homemade recipe that consists of placing an alcohol soaked paper in the belly button for as long as is needed, acting as a heating pad and Advil at once (it works). The plant that we use more within my family is Yerba Santa, a herb that serves for everything including fever, cramps, colds and headaches. A tea or even a paste can be made and usually one cup or a spoonful is enough.”

Analysis:

I had never heard of the Yerba Santa plant before my informant told me about her mom’s remedies, but when doing some further researcher I found that it is a great pain reliever. As we talked about in class, many times large pharmaceutical companies will use plants that cure ailments, pack them up into pill form, and sell them for profit. These home remedies, such as the alcohol soaked paper and the Yerba Santa plant, are great ways to get similar, in not the exact same, results as the name brand products. Relying on folk medicine instead of named brands helps you 1) save money and 2) not support brands who profit off of other cultures’ ideas and solutions without giving the people compensation.