During November and December, the American holiday season, many share presents, laughter, food, or good tidings. This year, at UW-Superior, the World Students Association (WSA) presented an International Folklore event on Monday, Nov. 25, in the Yellowjacket Union Shippar Atrium. This event aimed to spread folklore from all around the world, inviting any on-campus students to attend.
University of Wisconsin-Superior students and WSA group members sharing folklore stories.
Photo by Sama (Sky) Abdullayeva | The Promethean
Sujha Kafati, program coordinator of WSA, said, “This event highlights the diversity on our campus. As the World Student Association, we strive to protect and promote intercultural communication whenever possible. We extend an invitation to every student at UWS to join us with the same enthusiasm. These opportunities help create a community that represents the variety of demographics we have.”
More than 25 students turned out to eat snacks and listen to international folklore. Maëlle Rihouey, president of the WSA, said, “We had folklore from different countries: Mexico, Nigeria, France, Ethiopia, Honduras, Japan, and also from the United States/Ojibwe.” Folklore can represent many things, like beliefs, customs, or stories from the community.
Rihouey said, “For most people, it has been taught by their parents to behave well, to explain the creation of the world, to keep children at home at night. For some stories, it’s just like everybody knows about it without really knowing where it is from, which I feel like is also part of folklore. Many stories have been told from generation to generation.”
Dillion Krisik on stage at the International Folklore event. Photo by Sama (Sky) Abdullayeva | The Promethean
There are no comprehensive statistics on the frequency or specific types of folklore told in the United States, but folktales are still a part of elementary learning for some populations.
Kafati shared a folklore story close to the ancient Aztec religion during the event. “I told a classic tale called The Siguanaba. This folklore is heard in many Central American countries, as we share many cultural similarities. The legend has it that a very beautiful woman named Sihuehuet captivated the son of the god Tlaloc, with whom she became pregnant. However, her beauty and arrogance brought her misfortune. Many Honduran folktales revolve around the consequences that love affairs may bring,” said Kafati.
The International Folklore event hosted by the WSA at UWS served as a meaningful platform to celebrate the rich tapestry of global cultures through storytelling. With students from diverse backgrounds coming together to share tales from their homelands, the event encouraged intercultural communication and contributed to a greater understanding and appreciation of folklore as a vital aspect of cultural identity.
By highlighting stories like The Siguanaba and others from various countries, the WSA successfully fostered a sense of community and belonging among students, reinforcing the idea that folklore connects us all, transcending borders and generations. As the holiday season unfolds, such gatherings remind us of the importance of sharing traditions, laughter, and lessons that shape our understanding of the world and each other.