The Connection Between Children's Play Folklore and Other Genres of Folklore

Abstract

Children's play folklore holds a significant place within the broader framework of oral tradition, serving not only as entertainment but as a tool for education, socialization, and the transmission of cultural values. In Karakalpak folklore, children's games reflect a rich interplay between oral poetry, riddles, proverbs, fairy tales, and traditional customs. These elements are not isolated but deeply interwoven, shaping the artistic, cognitive, and ethical development of children. While various folklore genres have been studied individually, the structural and thematic connections between children's play folklore and other genres in the Karakalpak context remain underexplored. This study investigates the interrelationship between children’s play songs and other folklore genres, tracing their historical roots, cultural functions, and developmental significance. The research reveals that elements such as riddles, proverbs, and mythological characters are embedded in children's games, contributing to language acquisition, moral instruction, and social adaptation. Comparative examples highlight similarities across cultures, while local forms reflect national identity and folk pedagogy. The study presents a typological analysis of Karakalpak children's play folklore and shows how these games embody ancient beliefs, labor practices, and literary traditions, acting as living archives of cultural memory. Recognizing children’s play folklore as a foundational educational and cultural medium underscores the importance of preserving and integrating it into contemporary pedagogical practices, thereby sustaining national identity and transmitting cultural knowledge to future generations.