IGBO FOLKTALES: CORRECTIVE TOOLS FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

In recent times, the youths behave as though the older generation was born after them. They believe that they are wiser than the older ones because they are fortunate to meet a modernized society. However, before the advent of modernization, the older ones had a very effective way of correcting and training the younger ones, folktales. This study, Igbo folktales as corrective tools was motivated by the need to clearly explain the effectiveness of folktales in the ancient days, as told by the older generation. Few folktales were collected and the lessons in them portrayed. It is discovered that all folktales are wisely made up stories yet packed with wisdom. This study looks into the fictitious nature of Igbo folktales and how they are still used to impart the right attitude in children and because of its moral undertone, utilitarianism, which is a branch of the moral theory, is adopted as the framework for the study.