ISSN: 2782-893X
eISSN: 2799-0664
ISSN: 2782- 893X
— “Uncovering the Aqua Folktales of Banate” delves into the rich cultural heritage of Banate, Iloilo, through the exploration and analysis of aqua folktales. Rooted in Dundes’ Folklore and Oral Tradition Theory, this qualitative study aims to document and analyze the aqua folktales prevalent in the Municipality of Banate, with the overarching goal of creating a comprehensive collectanea. The participants of this study were elders in the community, totaling 40 individuals, comprising 22 females and 18 males, who contributed 31 Aqua Folktales as the data for analysis. The collected data were transcribed and organized for thematic analysis, focusing on cultural and social dimensions. A triangulation process was applied to test the validity of the data through the convergence of information from different participants. The data then underwent an in-depth analysis using Socio-Cultural Analysis. The themes derived from the analysis of the aqua folktales were Mystery, Horror, Fallacy, Revenge, Tradition, Consequence, Curse, and Gratitude. Aqua folktales are traditional narratives revolving around water-related themes transmitted orally through generations before the development of writing systems. Characterized by their didactic nature and universal appeal, they serve as repositories of cultural identity and values, reflecting the intricate relationship between communities and water. It is recommended to compile and preserve the aqua folktales in an accessible archive, thereby preserving and appreciating Banate’s cultural legacy while highlighting the importance of aqua folktales in understanding the dynamic interplay between people and water within unique cultural contexts. The output of the study is a collectanea of Aqua Folktales. Keywords – Collectanea, Aqua Folktales, Folklore and Oral Tradition theory, Thematic Analysis, Socio Cultural Analysis