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Culture RegionsCulture Regions

Folk Culture RegionsFolk Culture Regions Folk Cultural DiffusionFolk Cultural Diffusion Folk EcologyFolk Ecology Cultural Integration in Folk Cultural Integration in Folk

GeographyGeography Folk LandscapesFolk Landscapes

Cultural integration in folk Cultural integration in folk geography geography

Interaction between folk and popular Interaction between folk and popular culturescultures– Few folk groups escape some interaction Few folk groups escape some interaction

with the larger worldwith the larger world– A lively exchange is constantly on-going A lively exchange is constantly on-going

between folk and popular culturesbetween folk and popular cultures– Most commonly, the folk absorb ideas Most commonly, the folk absorb ideas

filtering down from popular culturefiltering down from popular culture

Cuzco, PeruCuzco, Peru


Cuzco, an Inca Cuzco, an Inca capital, is a major capital, is a major tourist destinations. tourist destinations. Here, llama wool Here, llama wool sweaters, ponchos, sweaters, ponchos, and rugs are and rugs are displayed for the displayed for the tourist trade. tourist trade. Woven on hand-Woven on hand-looms, they have looms, they have natural woolnatural wool


colors or are colors or are colored with colored with mineral or mineral or vegetable dyes. vegetable dyes.

Similar products are Similar products are also produced by also produced by factory machines factory machines using chemical dyes using chemical dyes for trendy colors for for trendy colors for appeal to mass appeal to mass market.market.

Cultural integration in folk Cultural integration in folk geography geography

Interaction between folk and popular Interaction between folk and popular culturescultures– Occasionally elements of folk culture penetrate Occasionally elements of folk culture penetrate

the popular societythe popular society– Folk handicrafts and arts often fetch high Folk handicrafts and arts often fetch high

prices among city dwellersprices among city dwellers They may exhibit quality, attention to detail, and They may exhibit quality, attention to detail, and

uniqueness absent in factory-made goodsuniqueness absent in factory-made goods Some folk goods are revised to make them more Some folk goods are revised to make them more

marketablemarketable Popular folk items include-Irish fisherman sweaters, Popular folk items include-Irish fisherman sweaters,

Shaker furniture, and Panamanian Indian molasShaker furniture, and Panamanian Indian molas

Mountain moonshine Mountain moonshine Home manufacture of corn whiskey in the Home manufacture of corn whiskey in the

Upland South has been going on since the Upland South has been going on since the early pioneering days of the 1700searly pioneering days of the 1700s

Probably diffused to America with the Probably diffused to America with the pioneering Scotch-Irishpioneering Scotch-Irish

The word The word whisky whisky has a Celtic origin, has a Celtic origin, probably from the Scottish Gaelic probably from the Scottish Gaelic uisge uisge beatha beatha (“water of life”)(“water of life”)

Home manufacture of whisky has occurred Home manufacture of whisky has occurred in many Appalachian hill settlements for in many Appalachian hill settlements for 200 years200 years

Mountain moonshine Mountain moonshine

Whiskey making withstood the Whiskey making withstood the prohibitionist attitudes of the prohibitionist attitudes of the nineteenth century religious revivalnineteenth century religious revival– Many mountaineers are devout Baptists Many mountaineers are devout Baptists

or Methodists, but defied antiliquor or Methodists, but defied antiliquor teachingsteachings

– Many mountain people proved very Many mountain people proved very willing to vote their areas legally “dry”willing to vote their areas legally “dry”

– Corn whiskey is very persistent in the folk Corn whiskey is very persistent in the folk dietdiet


Traditionally corn liquor was intended Traditionally corn liquor was intended mainly for family consumptionmainly for family consumption

Over the years, Appalachian Over the years, Appalachian moonshine began to find its way to moonshine began to find its way to marketmarket– Proved the best way for hill folk to Proved the best way for hill folk to

participate in the money economyparticipate in the money economy– Converted a bulky grain crop of low cash Converted a bulky grain crop of low cash

value in a compact beverage of high value value in a compact beverage of high value per unit of weightper unit of weight


Early as 1791, the U.S. federal government Early as 1791, the U.S. federal government began taxing manufacturers of whiskeybegan taxing manufacturers of whiskey– From the beginning, mountaineers found ways to From the beginning, mountaineers found ways to

avoid the taxavoid the tax– Stills lay concealed in remote coves and hollows Stills lay concealed in remote coves and hollows

to escape detectionto escape detection– When stills were discovered and destroyed, new When stills were discovered and destroyed, new

ones in different locations replaced themones in different locations replaced them– Revenuers were no more successful in stopping Revenuers were no more successful in stopping

whisky making than the churches had beenwhisky making than the churches had been


The important effect was mountain folk The important effect was mountain folk accepted markets offered by popular culture accepted markets offered by popular culture but rejected its legal and political institutionsbut rejected its legal and political institutions

By the 1950s, some 25,000 gallons of white By the 1950s, some 25,000 gallons of white lightning reached the market each week from lightning reached the market each week from the counties of eastern Tennessee alonethe counties of eastern Tennessee alone– In spite of numerous raids by federal authorities, In spite of numerous raids by federal authorities,

production continued unabatedproduction continued unabated– Today, a substantial amount of illicit whisky still Today, a substantial amount of illicit whisky still

reaches markets from southern Appalachiareaches markets from southern Appalachia

Mountain moonshine Mountain moonshine Whiskey production, legal and illegal, in Kentucky Whiskey production, legal and illegal, in Kentucky

and Tennessee represents an impressive survival and Tennessee represents an impressive survival of folk industry to serve a market in popular of folk industry to serve a market in popular societysociety

Illegal whisky production and popular culture Illegal whisky production and popular culture integration led to the creation of the “folk integration led to the creation of the “folk automobile”automobile”– A fast vehicle needed to outrun the law, but humble in A fast vehicle needed to outrun the law, but humble in

appearanceappearance– Some have claimed these vehicles were the forerunners Some have claimed these vehicles were the forerunners

of the basic American stock carof the basic American stock car– Stock-car racing then is considered another result of Stock-car racing then is considered another result of

interplay between folk and popular culturesinterplay between folk and popular cultures

Country and Western musicCountry and Western music

Upland Southern folk music had a very Upland Southern folk music had a very impressive impact upon American popular impressive impact upon American popular cultureculture

Derived to a great degree, from folk ballads Derived to a great degree, from folk ballads of English and Scotch-Irish, who settled in of English and Scotch-Irish, who settled in the upland-South in colonial timesthe upland-South in colonial times– Some have hypothesized use of the fiddle (violin) Some have hypothesized use of the fiddle (violin)

is an effort to recapture sounds of the Celtic is an effort to recapture sounds of the Celtic Scottish bagpipeScottish bagpipe

– Gradually, Upland Southern folk music absorbed Gradually, Upland Southern folk music absorbed influences of the American social experienceinfluences of the American social experience

Country and Western musicCountry and Western music Derived to a great degree, from folk Derived to a great degree, from folk

ballads of English and Scotch-Irish, who ballads of English and Scotch-Irish, who settled in the upland-South in colonial settled in the upland-South in colonial timestimes– Became a composite of Old World and New Became a composite of Old World and New

World folk traditionsWorld folk traditions– Long remained confined to the traditional Long remained confined to the traditional

society that developed itsociety that developed it– Dealt with themes such as love and hate, Dealt with themes such as love and hate,

happiness and sorrow, comedy and tragedyhappiness and sorrow, comedy and tragedy– Gave expression to a unique life-style and a Gave expression to a unique life-style and a

particular landparticular land


Entry of country music into popular culture Entry of country music into popular culture began about the time of World War Ibegan about the time of World War I– Diffusion was facilitated by the invention of the Diffusion was facilitated by the invention of the

radioradio– Popularization brought changesPopularization brought changes– Small number of songs in folk culture exploded Small number of songs in folk culture exploded

with the popular culturewith the popular culture– Electrical amplification needed in crowded Electrical amplification needed in crowded

noisy night spots produced a curious mixture noisy night spots produced a curious mixture with the use of the electric guitarwith the use of the electric guitar

– Themes of lyrics increasingly addressed life in Themes of lyrics increasingly addressed life in the popular culturethe popular culture


Bluegrass, Bluegrass, one of the many styles of one of the many styles of country music, emerged in the 1930scountry music, emerged in the 1930s– Developed by Bill MonroeDeveloped by Bill Monroe– Unique sound is achieved by the joining of a Unique sound is achieved by the joining of a

lead banjo with fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and lead banjo with fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and string bassstring bass

– Using only electric instruments keep it faithful Using only electric instruments keep it faithful to its originsto its origins

– High-pitched, emotional vocal sound clearly High-pitched, emotional vocal sound clearly reveals derivation from Scottish church singingreveals derivation from Scottish church singing


Bluegrass, Bluegrass, one of the many styles of one of the many styles of country music, emerged in the 1930scountry music, emerged in the 1930s

Acceptance remains greatest in its Upland Acceptance remains greatest in its Upland Southern core area in Kentucky, Tennessee, Southern core area in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and North CarolinaVirginia, and North Carolina

Most performers come from this core areaMost performers come from this core areaMusic retains strong identification with Music retains strong identification with

Appalachian placesAppalachian places


Impact of migration of Upland Impact of migration of Upland Southern folk on bluegrass musicSouthern folk on bluegrass music– Migrated to Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Migrated to Missouri, Arkansas, Texas,

and Oklahoma plus the Depression era and Oklahoma plus the Depression era movement of “Okies” and “Arkies” to movement of “Okies” and “Arkies” to the Central Valley of Californiathe Central Valley of California

– Provided natural areas for bluegrass Provided natural areas for bluegrass expansion in the mid-twentieth century expansion in the mid-twentieth century

Culture RegionsCulture Regions

Folk Culture RegionsFolk Culture Regions Folk Cultural DiffusionFolk Cultural Diffusion Folk EcologyFolk Ecology Cultural Integration in Folk Cultural Integration in Folk

GeographyGeography Folk LandscapesFolk Landscapes

Folk landscapes Folk landscapes

Folk architecture Folk architecture most visible aspect of most visible aspect of the landscapethe landscape– Comes from the memory of traditional Comes from the memory of traditional

peoplepeople– Built on mental images that change little Built on mental images that change little

from one generation to the nextfrom one generation to the next– Folk buildings are extensions of a people Folk buildings are extensions of a people

and their regionand their regionProvide the unique character of each district or Provide the unique character of each district or

provinceprovinceOffer a highly visible aspect of the human Offer a highly visible aspect of the human

mosaicmosaic

Folk Architecture: Folk Architecture: Maasai House, KenyaMaasai House, Kenya

The Maasai are pastoralists The Maasai are pastoralists who bring their cattle into who bring their cattle into their circular housing their circular housing compounds (compounds (engangsengangs or or manyattasmanyattas) at night. ) at night. Maasai bomas (houses) are Maasai bomas (houses) are built by women. built by women.

Latticed frames are Latticed frames are constructed with termite, constructed with termite, ant and beetle resistant ant and beetle resistant wood poles, insulated with wood poles, insulated with packed leaves, and packed leaves, and covered with cattle dung covered with cattle dung readily available in the readily available in the engangengang..

Folk Architecture: Folk Architecture: Maasai House, KenyaMaasai House, Kenya

A snail-shell entry A snail-shell entry inhibits entry of human inhibits entry of human or animal intruders.or animal intruders.

Lattice sleeping Lattice sleeping platforms covered with platforms covered with cowhide are attached cowhide are attached to internal walls. There to internal walls. There are no windows, only are no windows, only vents for the central vents for the central fire. Insect damage fire. Insect damage and leakage call for and leakage call for ongoing maintenance. ongoing maintenance. Using plastic sheeting Using plastic sheeting as a roof cover is a as a roof cover is a modern luxury few can modern luxury few can afford.afford.

Folk landscapes Folk landscapes

Seek in folk architecture the Seek in folk architecture the traditional, the conservative, and the traditional, the conservative, and the functionalfunctional

Expect from it a simple beautyExpect from it a simple beauty– Harmony with the physical environmentHarmony with the physical environment– A visible expression of folk culture A visible expression of folk culture

Building materialsBuilding materials

One way we classify folk houses and One way we classify folk houses and farmsteads is by the type of building farmsteads is by the type of building materials usedmaterials used


Structures tend to blend nicely with Structures tend to blend nicely with the natural landscapethe natural landscape

Farm dwellings range from: massive Farm dwellings range from: massive houses of stone for permanency, to houses of stone for permanency, to temporary brush thatch hutstemporary brush thatch huts


Environmental conditions influence Environmental conditions influence choice of construction materials)choice of construction materials)– ClimateClimate– VegetationVegetation– GeomorphologyGeomorphology

Shifting cultivators of tropical rain Shifting cultivators of tropical rain forests build houses of poles and forests build houses of poles and leavesleaves


Sedentary subsistence farming peoples of Sedentary subsistence farming peoples of adjacent highlands, oases, and river valleys adjacent highlands, oases, and river valleys of the Old World zoneof the Old World zone– Rely principally on earthen constructionRely principally on earthen construction– Sun-dried (adobe) bricksSun-dried (adobe) bricks– Pounded earthPounded earth– In more prosperous regions, kiln-baked bricks In more prosperous regions, kiln-baked bricks

are availableare available People in the tropical grasslands, especially People in the tropical grasslands, especially

in Africa, construct thatched houses from in Africa, construct thatched houses from coarse grasses and thorn bushescoarse grasses and thorn bushes


Buildings of Mediterranean farmers Buildings of Mediterranean farmers and some rural residents of interior and some rural residents of interior Indian and the Andean highlandsIndian and the Andean highlands– Most live in rocky, deforested landsMost live in rocky, deforested lands– Use stone as principal building materialUse stone as principal building material– Create entire landscapes of stoneCreate entire landscapes of stone

Walls, roofs, terraces, streets, and fencesWalls, roofs, terraces, streets, and fencesLends an air of permanence to the Lends an air of permanence to the

landscapelandscape

ChinaChina

Folk architecture: ChinaFolk architecture: China The Kazak practice The Kazak practice

transhumance, transhumance, spending the summer spending the summer with their horses, with their horses, goats, sheep and cattle goats, sheep and cattle in high pastures of the in high pastures of the Tien Shan (Heavenly Tien Shan (Heavenly Mountains) of Mountains) of northwestern China.northwestern China.

These yurts have These yurts have wooden trellis walls wooden trellis walls and are covered with and are covered with felt which is pressed felt which is pressed animal hair.animal hair.

Folk architecture: ChinaFolk architecture: China

The top flap can be The top flap can be opened to vent a opened to vent a central fire or central fire or closed to keep out closed to keep out rain.rain.

As winter As winter approaches, the approaches, the yurt is dismantled yurt is dismantled and carried by pack and carried by pack animals to lower animals to lower elevations. elevations.

Folk architecture: ChinaFolk architecture: China

Many Kazak now Many Kazak now winter in Chinese winter in Chinese style, mud-brick, style, mud-brick, sod-roofed houses.sod-roofed houses.

Yurts are Yurts are experiencing experiencing technological technological change as wood change as wood gives way to plastic gives way to plastic and felt to canvas.and felt to canvas.


Housing in the middle and higher Housing in the middle and higher latitudeslatitudes– Houses made of wood where timber is Houses made of wood where timber is

abundantabundant– In the United States, log cabins and later In the United States, log cabins and later

frame housesframe houses– Folk houses of northern Europe and in Folk houses of northern Europe and in

the mountains of eastern Australia are the mountains of eastern Australia are made of woodmade of wood


Housing in the middle and higher latitudesHousing in the middle and higher latitudes– In some deforested regions — Central Europe In some deforested regions — Central Europe

and parts of Chinaand parts of China Farmers built half-timbered housesFarmers built half-timbered houses Framework of hardwood beams with fill in the Framework of hardwood beams with fill in the

interstices of some other materialinterstices of some other material

– Sod or turf houses typify prairie and tundra Sod or turf houses typify prairie and tundra areasareas

Russian steppesRussian steppes In pioneer times, the American Great PlainsIn pioneer times, the American Great Plains

– Nomadic herders often live in portable tents Nomadic herders often live in portable tents made of skins or woolmade of skins or wool

Floor planFloor plan

Unit farmstead Unit farmstead – Single structure where family, farm Single structure where family, farm

animals, and storage facilities share animals, and storage facilities share spacespace

– In simplest form is one storied — People In simplest form is one storied — People and animals occupy different ends of and animals occupy different ends of structurestructure

– More complex ones are multi-storied More complex ones are multi-storied arranged so people and livestock live on arranged so people and livestock live on different levelsdifferent levels


Communal unit housing common Communal unit housing common among some shifting cultivatorsamong some shifting cultivators– Multiple families live under the same Multiple families live under the same

roofroof– Sleeping and cooking done in separate Sleeping and cooking done in separate

alcovesalcoves– Living space is sharedLiving space is shared


Communal unit housing common Communal unit housing common among some shifting cultivatorsamong some shifting cultivators– Example — the Sarawak Example — the Sarawak longhouse longhouse

found on the Malaysian portion of the found on the Malaysian portion of the island of Borneoisland of BorneoAccommodates between Accommodates between 5 5 and 8 nuclear and 8 nuclear

familiesfamiliesAn elongated dwellingAn elongated dwellingRaised above forest floor on stiltsRaised above forest floor on stiltsReflect a clan or tribal social organizationReflect a clan or tribal social organization

Folk Architecture: Manali, IndiaFolk Architecture: Manali, India


This house has This house has been constructed been constructed by the Kullu people by the Kullu people who live in the who live in the lower Himalayas of lower Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh. This is a steeply This is a steeply sloped, rocky and sloped, rocky and forested area and forested area and people make the people make the best use of local best use of local materials.materials.


Noted for their Noted for their woodwork, the Kulli woodwork, the Kulli carve and paint religious carve and paint religious and tribal designs toe and tribal designs toe propitiate the gods and propitiate the gods and ward off evilward off evil

The substantial stone The substantial stone roof will support a heavy roof will support a heavy winter snowfall.winter snowfall.

Fodder and cattle are Fodder and cattle are kept below the living kept below the living quarters.quarters.

Floor planFloor plan Most common are farmsteads where the house, Most common are farmsteads where the house,

barn, and stalls occupy separate buildingsbarn, and stalls occupy separate buildings Example of the Example of the courtyard farmstead courtyard farmstead

– Various structures clustered around an enclosed yardVarious structures clustered around an enclosed yard– Appears in several seemingly unrelated culture Appears in several seemingly unrelated culture

regionsregions– Found in Inca-settled portions of Andes MountainsFound in Inca-settled portions of Andes Mountains– Also found in the hills of central Germany, and eastern Also found in the hills of central Germany, and eastern

ChinaChina– Have wide distribution — offer privacy and protectionHave wide distribution — offer privacy and protection


Strewn farmstead Strewn farmstead prevails in countries prevails in countries where Germanic Europeans immigrated where Germanic Europeans immigrated and settledand settled– Anglo-America, Australia, and New ZealandAnglo-America, Australia, and New Zealand– Buildings lie spaced apart each other in no Buildings lie spaced apart each other in no

consistent patternconsistent pattern– Especially common in zones of wooden Especially common in zones of wooden

construction where fire is a hazardconstruction where fire is a hazard– Poorly suited for defensePoorly suited for defense– Often associated with rural regions of more Often associated with rural regions of more

than average tranquilitythan average tranquility

Irish folk housesIrish folk houses

Other characteristics that help classify Other characteristics that help classify farmsteads and dwellingsfarmsteads and dwellings– Form or shape of roofForm or shape of roof– Placement of chimneyPlacement of chimney– Details such as number and location of doors Details such as number and location of doors

and windowsand windows Estyn EvensEstyn Evens

– Used roof form and chimney placement, among Used roof form and chimney placement, among other traits, in classifying Irish housesother traits, in classifying Irish houses

– Determined three major folk-housing culture Determined three major folk-housing culture regionsregions

Irish folk housesIrish folk houses

If floor plan and material composition If floor plan and material composition had been included, more regions had been included, more regions would have been identifiedwould have been identified

Other features such as the bed Other features such as the bed outshot of far north Ireland, mud wall outshot of far north Ireland, mud wall constructions of interior counties, constructions of interior counties, and off-center door found in several and off-center door found in several districts districts

Folk housing in North AmericaFolk housing in North America

Few folk houses are being built todayFew folk houses are being built today Popular culture with its mass-Popular culture with its mass-

produced, commercially built houses produced, commercially built houses has overwhelmed folk traditionshas overwhelmed folk traditions

Many folk houses survive in refuge Many folk houses survive in refuge regions regions


Yankee or New England folk housesYankee or New England folk houses– Wooden frame constructionWooden frame construction– Shingle siding often covers exterior wallsShingle siding often covers exterior walls– Have a variety of floor plansHave a variety of floor plans– New England large house — huge two-and-a-New England large house — huge two-and-a-

half stories, built around a central chimney and half stories, built around a central chimney and two rooms deeptwo rooms deep

– As Yankee folk moved west, they developed As Yankee folk moved west, they developed the the upright and upright and wing dwellingwing dwelling

– Houses are often massive because of cold Houses are often massive because of cold winterswinters


Upland Southern folk housesUpland Southern folk houses– Smaller and built of notched logs—Smaller and built of notched logs—

colonial Scandinavian settler techniquecolonial Scandinavian settler technique– Saddlebag Saddlebag house--two log rooms house--two log rooms

separated by a double fireplace separated by a double fireplace


Upland Southern folk housesUpland Southern folk houses– Dogtrot Dogtrot house-two log rooms separated house-two log rooms separated

by an open roofed breezewayby an open roofed breezeway– Shotgun house-African-American, one Shotgun house-African-American, one

room wide, but two to four rooms m room wide, but two to four rooms m depthdepth

– Creole cottage-half-timbered with a Creole cottage-half-timbered with a central chimney and built-in porch, central chimney and built-in porch, found in Acadiana, a French-derived folk found in Acadiana, a French-derived folk region in Louisianaregion in Louisiana


Canadian folk houses Canadian folk houses – House type found in French speaking House type found in French speaking

QuebecQuebecMain story atop a cellar, attic rooms beneath Main story atop a cellar, attic rooms beneath

a curved, bell-shaped roofa curved, bell-shaped roofBalcony-porch with railing extends across the Balcony-porch with railing extends across the

front, which is sheltered by overhanging front, which is sheltered by overhanging eaveseaves

Summer kitchen sealed off during the long Summer kitchen sealed off during the long cold winterscold winters

Houses often built of stoneHouses often built of stone

Folk housing in North AmericaFolk housing in North America Ontario Ontario farmhouse—occurs frequently in farmhouse—occurs frequently in

the Upper Canadian folk regionthe Upper Canadian folk region– One-and-a-half stories tall, usually built of brickOne-and-a-half stories tall, usually built of brick– Has distinctive gabled front dormer windowHas distinctive gabled front dormer window

Interpretation of folk architecture is not a Interpretation of folk architecture is not a simple processsimple process– Problem of independent invention versus Problem of independent invention versus

diffusion is raised repeatedlydiffusion is raised repeatedly– Folk cultures rarely leave behind many written Folk cultures rarely leave behind many written

records, making landscape artifacts all the records, making landscape artifacts all the more importantmore important