Record of traditional customs in which people have an unusual role (8)
I believe the answer is:
folklore
'record of traditional customs in' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'people have an unusual role' is the wordplay.
'people' becomes 'folk' (informal term for people).
'have' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'an unusual' is an anagram indicator.
'role' with letters rearranged gives 'lore'.
'folk'+'lore'='FOLKLORE'
'which' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for folklore that I've seen before include "Traditional knowledge of a culture" , "Ancient customs and beliefs" , "Stories and legends" , "Traditional beliefs and tales of community" , "Stories, traditions, etc., of a group of people" .)