THE FOLKLORE OF MAINE

There is no dearth of folklore in the little state of Maine. Folklore includes such diverse aspects of culture as art, architecture, occupation, religion, superstition, myth, legend, song, dance, riddles, weather lore, language, games and food, to mention a few. This book has placed some important examples of folklore into their historical contexts. We see the origin of N.E. names on the sea like Bailey's Mistake, Ragged Island, Bunker's Whore and Buzzards' Bay. The lore of ships and sailors appears prolifically in the everyday speech as a result of the close contact of people on the mainland with seamen. Origins of Maine folklore are not restricted to Europe, however; Indian influence is very prominent is not only place names, but in extant legends and active customs such as herbal cures. A diversified sampling is given and we are surprised to learn how much of folklore is a disguise or an exaggeration of the real past. A specialized subject matter in the local- color department.