How does the environment affect the lives of people, and what is its relation to religiosity and folklore?

 

In closely knit living spaces, such as a shared courtyard surrounded by six houses, the environment becomes a lived and emotional space, absorbing memories of sorrow and joy, loss and achievement. It influences how people move, work, interact, and make sense of their lives. The courtyard functions as the heart of everyday life, especially for women who spend much of their day there performing domestic chores. As a shared space, it fosters ongoing conversations, storytelling, collaborative tasks, and attentive observation. Over time, these repeated interactions transform the courtyard into a site of collective memory, where personal experiences blend into shared narratives. Every day, spaces like courtyards, thresholds, trees, wells, or temples become charged with spiritual meaning. Rituals, prayers, and protective practices are often tied to these spaces, reflecting a belief that the environment holds unseen forces that can influence human fate. Within these settings, folklore is shaped by lived experience, tales of deities, spirits, portents, and ethical teachings deeply connected to the landscape and everyday existence.