Abstract:
Folklore encompasses the knowledge, experiences, and creative thinking passed down
from ancestors through generations via word of mouth. It serves as a means of preserving cultural
traditions and expressing socio-cultural aspects of a society. One such folklore narrative deeply rooted
in the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka is the story of Kuweni. Kuweni, the unacknowledged queen who
aided King Vijaya in his conquest of the island, holds historical, literal, geographical, and cultural
significance. This narrative highlights the anthropological value inherent in folk traditions. Moreover,
the story has been documented in ancient literature, lending factual credibility to the character of
Kuweni. It has also served as an inspiration for dramatic performances, films, songs, and paintings
exploring Kuweni's emotional dilemmas. However, there is a lack of comprehensive academic study on
transforming folklore characters into creative disciplines. This research employs a qualitative
approach to study the literature and folk narratives surrounding Kuweni, utilizing folklore
categorization techniques such as the scientific and social scientific approaches with thematic
analysis to identify the main themes. As a result of that, Thematic Metaphorical Approach (TMA) helps
to identify and explore the central themes associated with folklore characters. This conceptual
framework is applicable to in-depth exploration of any significant folklore character, providing a solid
foundation for creative industries to delve into their themes without encountering pitfalls.
