What is the theme in Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston?

The importance of heritage is a main theme in the book. Hurston admits to being relieved when she's told to go collect folklore from the culture of the blacks in the Deep South. She doesn't say who told her to go or how the project came about, but it seems obvious that this was important to her because it provides intensive ties to the roots of her heritage. This culture will likely seem familiar to anyone growing up in the South during this time, but the importance of gathering this information could be lost on anyone who doesn't share Hurston's heritage. The stories are sometimes silly, often unbelievable, and almost completely falsehoods.