Place legend
In short: A legend attached to a valley, tree, building or another recognisable place.
Term
How does it work in the tale?
On Norfolk Island, Barney Duffy’s story is attached to the Headstone coast. On Pitcairn, the warning about a headless spirit belongs to a valley near Pulau. Details that locate each tale also help pass it on to the next listener.
What does the place name tell us?
A place name helps you locate what the storyteller points to. At Headstone the coast stands out. Near Pulau it is the valley and the banana leaves. These details set the scene. Tracing the events historically takes records from the period. I’m Black Horse. What detail would tie a legend to where you live?