Why is folklore ignored?

Bangladesh is a country with a rich cultural and historical tapestry. Folklore flows through every corner of our lush, green land. Our true identity is deeply tied to our roots. It lives in the soulful Baul tunes of Lalon and Hason. We see it in the beautiful Nakshi Kantha stitched by rural women. It is also found in our everyday rhymes, riddles and proverbs.
The biggest reason for ignoring folklore as a subject is the lack of jobs. This is a very real problem today. Many students study this subject with great passion. But where will they go after graduation?
In our country, there is no specific job market for folklore graduates. There are no specialised research labs or institutes to preserve our folk culture. Without career security, young people are now afraid of studying this subject. They are gradually losing interest in folklore research. As a result, many folklore graduates are forced to choose other common professions.
Because of globalisation, we are becoming more attracted to foreign cultures. Many people mistakenly think our own folklore is "outdated" or "old-fashioned." This happens partly because we do not practise or promote our folk culture properly.
In our country, there is hardly any research on folklore. We also lack the necessary funding for it. However, the picture is different in many developed nations. They are using folklore to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For example, researchers study how folktales can raise awareness about deforestation. They also explore how local riddles and traditions can strengthen community resilience.
Finally, folklore is not just a story of the past; it is also a guide to the future. A tree cannot survive without its roots. In the same way, a nation cannot survive without its own culture.
Therefore, we must act now to save our folklore. First, folklore should be included in school textbooks to help the younger generation connect with their roots. Second, the government should increase the budget for folklore research. Most importantly, jobs must be created for folklore graduates. Only then will our folk culture regain its lost glory.

Md Shihab Uddin
Student
Folklore and Social Development Studies
University of Rajshahi
shihab.fsds@gmail.com