Abstract: The history explanation of folk legends is an important issue in the study of the history of local areas, where the literal
documents are limited but the oral legends are abundant. As a genre of folk literature, legend is questioned by its characteristics of
literary, variability and collectivity. Based on the research of Legends of King in Dali, this paper attempts to discuss the methodological
significance of legends in the regional society construction and the research of local history.

Key words: legend, local history, folk narration, history explanation