American folklore
Legends of America
American folklore is the body of traditional stories, legends, songs, and customs that developed in the United States—tall tales of Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill, trickster stories from enslaved communities, ghost stories, folk songs, and regional superstitions.
It blends Native American, European, African, and immigrant traditions into something distinctly American: American folklore celebrates the frontier spirit.
The field also studies contemporary legends and urban myths.
- Davy CrockettAlamo's coonskin defender
- Sleepy HollowHaunted New York hamlet
- WendigoCannibalistic spirit from indigenous lore
- folk heroCelebrated figure from tradition
- Paul BunyanMythic giant woodcutter
John Henry · legend · Bigfoot · slave narratives · Johnny Appleseed · Jesse James · La Llorona · Headless Horseman · frontiersman · Pecos Bill · campfire stories · campfire tales · Thunderbird · cowboy songs · folk songs · pioneer · wagon trail · covered wagon
- Americas StudiesCanadian history, Mexican history, colonial history
- Washington IrvingRip Van Winkle, Sleepy Hollow, Ichabod Crane, Headless Horseman, Knickerbocker
American folkloreNorse mythology
Scandinavian pagan religion
African folklore · Chinese mythology · British folklore · Japanese folklore · Indian mythology
American folklorecontemporary fiction
Recently written realistic novels
modern literature · urban legends · futurism · internet memes · speculative fiction