A Gradual Structural Shift in Limbu Folktales

Abstract

Folktales are the oldest form of literature as old as the human civilization. Passing the tales in the oral form to the posterity of Limbu generation causes the twist in the theme as well as structure of the stories. Folktales are in oral or half written forms. These folktales are transferred from one generation to another, from senior family members to juniors, parents to children etc.. Being dynamic in nature, the morphology cannot remain same in all the time in the folktales. It changes continuously according to the time and place. Different narrators narrate according to their own understanding and style. In this way, Limbu folktales have at least two versions