PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

Malay oral narratives are a literary heritage that symbolises the uniqueness of Malay community in translating their worldview in relation to occurrences of life. This creative storytelling is not merely for entertainment but also as a source of education. This study discusses elements of cultural heritage in the folklore of Kelantan with a focus on the districts of Tumpat and Pasir Mas. In conjunction with various sources of story comprising mythical, legendary, aetiological, and ritual, this research aims at exploring different dimensions of Kelantan’s cultural heritage transmitted orally from generation to generation. The research methodology used is qualitative, which utilises interviews and library research. There were five (5) informants interviewed to obtain data in the form of folklore or folktales told by these informants. The data was then analysed thematically based on specific themes. The research findings reveal information pertinent to culture, historical resonances, and communal significance contained in the 11 oral narratives of Kelantan. Results of the study indicated that cultural aspects of Kelantanese folklore can be identified by their stories, which focus on both tangible and intangible heritage elements. The cultural elements in the oral narratives of Kelantan may contribute to a deeper understanding of the Kelantanese cultural landscape and emphasise the importance of oral narratives as a collective cultural repository that has its own characteristics. Thus, there is a need for a sustainability process to preserve the literary heritage of Kelantan for future generations.