Classification of assamese folk tales by praphulladutta goswami and their contribution to informal education: a case study of darrang

This study explores the classification of Assamese folk tales by the renowned folklorist Praphulladutta Goswami and examines their contribution to informal education, with specific reference to the Darrang district of Assam. Folk tales have long functioned as vehicles for transmitting indigenous knowledge, moral values, cultural traditions, and historical memory within Assamese society. In his seminal work Ballads and Tale of Assam, Goswami categorizes these tales into four major types: animal tales, supernatural, jokes, and trickster tales. Each category reflects unique pedagogical functions, providing ethical guidance, stimulating imagination, and reinforcing social norms. The research focuses on how these folk narratives, especially in the socio-cultural setting of Darrang, a region known for its vibrant oral traditions such as community storytelling, contribute significantly to informal education. Through field observations, oral interviews, and literature review, the study reveals that folk tales serve as an alternative mode of learning, especially in rural areas where formal education may not be fully accessible. They foster moral reasoning, enhance cultural awareness, develop language skills, and transmit collective memory across generations. The paper argues that the continued oral transmission of folk tales in Darrang plays a crucial role in sustaining community identity and informal learning practices. By analyzing Goswami’s classification in the local context, the study underscores the relevance of folk literature in educational discourse and cultural preservation. This research further suggests that integrating folk narratives into modern pedagogical frameworks can enrich curricula and make education more culturally rooted and inclusive.