Chapter 4 Folk and Popular

CultureKey Issue 2

Why is Folk Culture Clustered?

Folk culture typically has unknown or multiple origins among groups living in relative isolation. Folk culture diffuses slowly to other locations through the process of migration. A combination of physical and cultural factors influences the distinctive distributions of folk culture.

Isolation promotes cultural diversityInfluence of the physical environment

Folk customs develop of centuries of isolation

Himalayan Mountains Neighboring isolated cultural groups Distinctive culture seen in their artwork

Isolation Promotes Cultural Diversity

Tibetan Buddhists Divine figuresDepicted bizarre/horrifyingReflecting inhospitable env’t

Hindus Everyday lifeDeity in domestic scenesRegion’s violent/extreme climate

Muslims Beautiful plants & flowersDo NOT show harsh climatic conditions

Myanmar (Burma) & Southeast Asia

Symbols & designs from religionNOT local environment

Varying Art in Himalayas

Art shows how religion and environment influence these different cultural groups

Many groups of similar environments adopt different social customs

Many groups in different environments adopt similar social customs

Contradicts “Environmental Determinism” theory

People DO respond to environment, but it isn’t the only factor in social customs

Influence of the Physical Environment

Food, clothing, shelter Determined by climate, soil, vegetation

Arctic Climates◦ Fur-lined boots, snowshoes

Warm & Humid Climates◦ Footwear not needed

Netherlands◦ Wooden shoes: farmers needed waterproof shoes

for wet fields because Netherlands is below sea-level

Influence of the Physical Environment

Folk societies◦Very responsive to environment◦Low level of technology◦Likely to be farmers◦Grow their own food◦Use hand tools, animal power

◦Some societies ignore the norms!

Influence of the Physical Environment

Food habits derive from environment Inhabitants must consider soil, climate,

terrain, vegetation to produce food Rice: milder, moist climates Wheat: colder, drier regions

Distinctive Food Preferences

Access to fuel can determine food supply Limited Fuel: Asia, Italy Abundant Fuel: Northern Europe Soy beans: toxic in raw form Sprouts, soy sauce, bean curd: don’t require

extensive cooking Italy: quick frying foods Northern Europe: slow stews, roasts

Distinctive Food Preferences

Terroir: the contribution of a location’s distinctive physical features to the way food tastes (terre: land)

Ex: wine can taste different based on where grapes are grown

Distinctive Food Preferences

Istanbul, Turkey Bostans: small gardens (1000) that supply

the city with produce Farmers maximize yields through clever

manipulation of space, season & resources Different crops grown throughout year Crops vary each year Reduces risk of damage from poor weather

Distinctive Food Preferences

Transylvania, Romania

Transylvania, Romania 1900s Home to many different migrating cultural

groups: Hungarians, Romanians, Jews, Armenians, etc

All eat lots of soups, poor people food However, each cultural group has a

different type based on their background

Food habits often migrate to new places

Food Diversity in Transylvania

Certain foods eaten because they “enhance qualities” desirable by society◦ Strength, fierceness, lovemaking ability

Food Attractions and Taboos

Group Eat/don’t eat

Food Reason

Abipone Indians of Paraguay

eat Jaguars & bulls

Make them strong, brave, swift

Continue the Chart while reading p.122-124

Food Attractions and Taboos

Group Eat/don’t eat

Food Reason

Abipone Indians of Paraguay

eat Jaguars & bulls

Make them strong, brave, swift

Eating Rat http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/p

laces/countries-places/togo/togo_eatingrat/

Goat Fetus http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/p

laces/culture-places/food/india_goatfetus/

Product of cultural tradition & natural conditions

Good reflection of cultural heritage, current fashion, functional needs & impact of environment

Folk Housing

Type of materials influenced by resources available in environment

Two most common building materials: Wood (preferred when available) Brick Other materials: Stone, grass, sod & skins

Distinctive Building Materials

MDCs Lumber cut into needed shapes Frame, floors, ceiling, roof

Shingles, stucco, vinyl, aluminum used for exterior, insulation, decoration

Distinctive Building Materials

Limited access to forests use alt. materials Hot, dry climates (US Southwest, Mexico,

Northern China, Middle East) Bricks: bake mud in sun

Europe & South America stone

Distinctive Building Materials

If desired material isn’t available: Import materials

United States◦ Save money by using alternatives to lumber◦ drywall

Distincitive Building Materials

Form of house Customary beliefs or environmental factors Orientation of house can vary Religious values

◦ Fiji: east wall of house is sacred◦ China: northwest wall is sacred◦ Middle East, India and Africa: similar religious

values with sacred walls

Distinctive House Form & Orientation

Religious considerations for each part of house

West: main door Northeast: most sacred North: honoring ancestors, where guests are

seated East: bed placement, head facing north

Madagascar

House Types in 4 communities of western China

Laos◦ Head is considered “high and noble” ◦ Feet considered “low and vulgar”◦ People sleep head to head or feet to feet

Thailand◦ Ignore position of neighbors head/feet in bed◦ All sleep with head faced East, most favorable

direction◦ Staircases cannot face West: the direction of

death and evil spirits

Southeast Asia

Construction of house can relate to environment◦ Pitched roof snowy, wet climates◦ Window direction/size extreme climates

Folk housing can vary in similar climates

North & West China-drylands◦ Similar building materials: adobe, timber◦ Similar objective: protection from extreme temps◦ Different, Individual designs based on social customs

Housing and Environment

House Types in 4 communities of western China

Older houses display folk culture tradition Pioneers, 1700s & 1800s Brought their “east coast” housing styles

westward as they migrated

Three Major Hearths New England, Mid Atlantic and Lower

Chesapeake

US Folk House Forms

U.S. House Types by Region

Small towns in different regions of the eastern U.S. have different combinations of five main traditional house types.

New England Migrants brought house types northward

and westward across Great Lakes region Four major house types were popular, 18th & 19th century

US Folk House Forms

Mid Atlantic “I” house: 2 full stories with gables to the

sides, resembles the letter “I”

US Folk House Forms

Lower Chesapeake One story, steep roof, chimneys on either

side As it spread to wetter regions, these homes

were raised on stilts

Less regional distinctness today Knowledge of other styles Construction companies build the homes