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Folk and Popular Culture
What is culture?What is culture?
Formal definition:Formal definition:– Culture is a shared set of Culture is a shared set of
meanings that are lived through meanings that are lived through material and symbolic practices material and symbolic practices of everyday lifeof everyday life
Geography is concerned with Geography is concerned with how culture shapes space how culture shapes space and place. How place and and place. How place and space can influence culturesspace can influence cultures
HabitHabit– Repetitive act that a particular Repetitive act that a particular
individual performsindividual performswearing jeans to class every wearing jeans to class every dayday
CustomCustom– Repetitive act of a group, Repetitive act of a group,
performed to the extent that it performed to the extent that it becomes characteristic of the becomes characteristic of the groupgroup
College students wear jeans to College students wear jeans to class every dayclass every day
Adopted by most of the Adopted by most of the society's populationsociety's population
Folk CultureFolk Culture
Limited to a smaller Limited to a smaller region and smaller region and smaller groups of peoplegroups of people– Stable / close knitStable / close knit
HomogenousHomogenous groups groups
– Usually a rural communityUsually a rural communityIsolated groups that have Isolated groups that have had long-lasting culture had long-lasting culture traits that have not changed traits that have not changed substantially over long substantially over long periodsperiods
isolation/lack of interaction isolation/lack of interaction breeds uniqueness and ties breeds uniqueness and ties to physical environmentto physical environment
Folk customs often have Folk customs often have anonymous hearthsanonymous hearths– Originate from Originate from
anonymous sourcesanonymous sources– At unknown datesAt unknown dates– Unidentified originatorsUnidentified originators
Resistance to change– Diffuses slowlyDiffuses slowly
Usually spreads through Usually spreads through relocation diffusion
Surviving folk culture in North AmericaSurviving folk culture in North America
Popular CulturePopular CultureFound in large, Found in large, heterogeneous societiesheterogeneous societies
Mass culture that Mass culture that diffuses rapidlydiffuses rapidly– Spreads through Spreads through
expansion diffusionexpansion diffusionhierarchicalhierarchical
Some believe it Some believe it threatens local or threatens local or regional distinctivenessregional distinctiveness– Cultural homogeneityCultural homogeneity
Effects on landscape create Effects on landscape create homogeneous “placeless homogeneous “placeless landscape”landscape”
Seen by some as threat Seen by some as threat to the environmentto the environment– Increased consumptionIncreased consumption
Plastic water bottlesPlastic water bottles
Globalization of cultureGlobalization of culture
Often destroys folk Often destroys folk culture or preserves culture or preserves traditions as museum traditions as museum pieces or tourism pieces or tourism gimmicksgimmicks
Western Media Western Media ImperialismImperialism– US, Britain, and Japan US, Britain, and Japan
dominate media dominate media worldwideworldwide
– US and British provide US and British provide “news”“news”
– Unlikely to focus on third-Unlikely to focus on third-world perspective, issues world perspective, issues important to LDC’simportant to LDC’s
Globalization of cultureGlobalization of culture
Environmental ProblemsEnvironmental Problems
– Accelerated use through Accelerated use through accelerated consumptionaccelerated consumption
– Western fashionWestern fashionhip hop/ diamonds
– Inefficient over-Inefficient over-consumption of meatsconsumption of meats
Cultural ImperialismCultural Imperialism
Diffusion of popular culture Diffusion of popular culture can contribute to cultural can contribute to cultural conflict when part of a group conflict when part of a group may protest the arrival of a may protest the arrival of a type of popular culture in its type of popular culture in its regionregion
Cultural imperialismCultural imperialism– The invasion of a culture into The invasion of a culture into
another with the intent of another with the intent of dominating the invaded cultural dominating the invaded cultural politically, economically, and/or politically, economically, and/or socially.socially.
Cultural nationalismCultural nationalism– The resistance by a group of The resistance by a group of
people against cultural people against cultural imperialism and cultural imperialism and cultural convergenceconvergence
McDonald’s attacks
Globalization is often seen Globalization is often seen as causing cultural as causing cultural imperialism and the imperialism and the controversy surrounding its controversy surrounding its cultural consequences.cultural consequences.
Key Issue 1:Key Issue 1:Where do Folk and Popular Where do Folk and Popular
Cultures Originate and Diffuse?Cultures Originate and Diffuse?
Origin of Folk and Popular CulturesOrigin of Folk and Popular Cultures
A social custom A social custom originates at a hearthoriginates at a hearth
Folk customs has Folk customs has anonymous hearths anonymous hearths
Popular culture is Popular culture is often product of often product of MDCsMDCs– Examples”Examples”
MusicMusicFood Food
– Arise from Arise from combination of combination of advances in industrial advances in industrial technology and technology and increased leisure timeincreased leisure time
Origin of Folk MusicOrigin of Folk Music
Exemplifies differences in Exemplifies differences in origins of folk and popular origins of folk and popular cultureculture
Folk songs tell a story or Folk songs tell a story or convey information about: convey information about: – daily activitiesdaily activities
such as farmingsuch as farming
– life-cycle eventslife-cycle events– mysterious events such as mysterious events such as
storms or earthquakesstorms or earthquakes
Music “invented” in Music “invented” in China in 2697 B.C. China in 2697 B.C.
Folk music::– usually unidentifiedusually unidentified– transmitted orallytransmitted orally
Can be modified from Can be modified from generation to generation generation to generation as conditions changeas conditions change
Origin of Popular MusicOrigin of Popular Music
Music written by specific Music written by specific individuals for the purpose of individuals for the purpose of being sold to a large number being sold to a large number of peopleof people– Takes technological skillTakes technological skill– Performed in studio with Performed in studio with
equipmentequipment
Originated in 1900Originated in 1900– Music industry developed out Music industry developed out
of Vaudevilleof Vaudeville– Tin Pan Alley developed in Tin Pan Alley developed in
New YorkNew York– Later moved to BroadwayLater moved to Broadway
Diffusion of American MusicDiffusion of American Music
During WWIIDuring WWII– Diffusion of American Diffusion of American
music worldwide music worldwide increasedincreased
Armed Forces RadioArmed Forces Radio
– English became English became international language for international language for popular musicpopular music
Musicians around the world Musicians around the world write and perform in Englishwrite and perform in English
Hip HopHip HopHip Hop originated in New Hip Hop originated in New York in 1970’s in South York in 1970’s in South BronxBronx– Low- incomeLow- income– Spread to other low-income Spread to other low-income
neighborhoodsneighborhoodsQueens, Brooklyn, HarlemQueens, Brooklyn, Harlem
Local “twists”
1980’s 1980’s – Spread to Atlanta and Oakland Spread to Atlanta and Oakland – Then to other large cities in the Then to other large cities in the
U.S.U.S.
Demonstrates the interplay Demonstrates the interplay between globalization and between globalization and local diversitylocal diversity– Makes local references but is Makes local references but is
diffused throughout the world diffused throughout the world
Diffusion of Folk and Popular Diffusion of Folk and Popular CulturesCultures
Spread of popular culture Spread of popular culture typically follows the process typically follows the process of hierarchal diffusion from of hierarchal diffusion from hearthshearths– Hearths in US include Hearths in US include
Hollywood and New York CityHollywood and New York City
Pop culture diffuses through Pop culture diffuses through use of modern use of modern communications and communications and transportationstransportations
Folk culture is transmitted Folk culture is transmitted from one location to another from one location to another more slowly and on a smaller more slowly and on a smaller scalescale– Relocation diffusionRelocation diffusion
Folk CultureFolk Culture
The Amish::– Culture visible on the Culture visible on the
landscape in at least 19 landscape in at least 19 statesstates
Distinctive clothing, farming, Distinctive clothing, farming, and religious practicesand religious practices
Still travel by horse and Still travel by horse and buggy and use hand toolsbuggy and use hand tools
Only 400,000 Only 400,000
Sports: Hierarchical Diffusion of Sports: Hierarchical Diffusion of Popular CulturePopular Culture
Provides examples of how Provides examples of how popular culture is diffusedpopular culture is diffused– Most sports originated as Most sports originated as
isolated folk customs and were isolated folk customs and were diffused like other folk culture, diffused like other folk culture, through migration of individualsthrough migration of individuals
Folk Culture Origin of SoccerFolk Culture Origin of Soccer– World’s most popular sportWorld’s most popular sport– Origin obscureOrigin obscure
Earliest evidence in England in Earliest evidence in England in 1111thth century century
– After Danish invasion in which After Danish invasion in which workers “kicked the Dane’s workers “kicked the Dane’s head” and was imitated by head” and was imitated by boysboys
Higher incomes allowed Higher incomes allowed spectators to payspectators to pay– To meet demand, hired To meet demand, hired
professional playersprofessional players
Clubs formed an association Clubs formed an association formed in 1863 to formed in 1863 to standardize rules and standardize rules and organize professional organize professional leaguesleagues– Organization into formal Organization into formal
structure marks structure marks transitiontransition from from folk culture to popular culturefolk culture to popular culture
TodayToday
Spectator sports are Spectator sports are today part of popular today part of popular cultureculture– Common element is Common element is
willingness of people willingness of people throughout the world to throughout the world to pay for viewingpay for viewing
World Cup is a great World Cup is a great example of the diffusion of example of the diffusion of soccersoccer
– Final of world cup watched Final of world cup watched by more people than any by more people than any other sport in historyother sport in history
Key Issue 2Key Issue 2
Why is Folk Culture Why is Folk Culture Clustered?Clustered?
Influence of Physical EnvironmentInfluence of Physical Environment
►Folk societies are Folk societies are particularly responsive to particularly responsive to the environmentthe environment Limited technologyLimited technology Agricultural economyAgricultural economy
►Environmental Environmental Determinism?Determinism?
Customs such as food, Customs such as food, clothing, and shelter are clothing, and shelter are influenced by prevailing influenced by prevailing climate, soil, and climate, soil, and vegetationvegetation Arctic climates= fur boots Arctic climates= fur boots
to protectto protect Netherlands: custom of Netherlands: custom of
wooden shoes worn as wooden shoes worn as they work in fields that are they work in fields that are extremely wetextremely wet
Influences of Physical EnvironmentInfluences of Physical Environment
Environmental Environmental conditions can limit the conditions can limit the variety of human actions variety of human actions anywhereanywhere
Two necessities of daily Two necessities of daily life- food and shelter- life- food and shelter- demonstrate the demonstrate the influence of cultural influence of cultural values and environment values and environment on the development of on the development of unique folk culture.unique folk culture.
Different societies prefer Different societies prefer different foods and styles different foods and styles of house constructionof house construction
Distinctive Food PreferencesDistinctive Food Preferences
Folk food habits are Folk food habits are embedded especially embedded especially strong in the strong in the environmentenvironment Humans eat mostly plants Humans eat mostly plants
and animalsand animals
Inhabitants of a region Inhabitants of a region must consider:must consider: SoilSoil ClimateClimate TerrainTerrain VegetationVegetation
Food PreferencesFood Preferences
► People adapt their food People adapt their food preferences to conditions in preferences to conditions in the environmentthe environment
Europe:Europe:► traditional preferences for traditional preferences for
quick-frying foods in Italy quick-frying foods in Italy resulted in part from fuel resulted in part from fuel shortagesshortages
► In Northern Europe, an In Northern Europe, an abundant wood supply abundant wood supply encouraged the slow-stewing encouraged the slow-stewing and roasting of foodsand roasting of foods
AsiaAsia► SoybeansSoybeans► Fuel scarceFuel scarce
Asians adaptedAsians adapted
Food AttractionsFood Attractions
► Everything in nature carries a Everything in nature carries a signature, or distinctive signature, or distinctive characteristic, based on its characteristic, based on its appearance and natural appearance and natural properties.properties. Certain foods are eaten Certain foods are eaten
because their natural because their natural properties are perceived to properties are perceived to enhance qualities considered enhance qualities considered desirable by the societydesirable by the society
► Example: Abipone Indians of Example: Abipone Indians of Paraguay eat Jaguars and Paraguay eat Jaguars and bulls to make them bravebulls to make them brave
Food TaboosFood Taboos
►People refuse to eat People refuse to eat particular plants or particular plants or animals that are thought animals that are thought to embody negative to embody negative forces in the forces in the environment.environment. protect an endangered protect an endangered
animalanimal Conserve natural Conserve natural
resourcesresources
Taboo:Taboo: Restriction on behavior Restriction on behavior
imposed by social customimposed by social custom
Food TaboosFood Taboos
Taboos can be found in Taboos can be found in several religions including:several religions including: ChristianityChristianity
Not many taboosNot many taboos
JudaismJudaismTaboosTaboos
Animals that do not chew own Animals that do not chew own cudcud
Animals that have cloven feetAnimals that have cloven feet Fish lacking fins and scalesFish lacking fins and scales
Why?Why? Concern for environmentConcern for environment Land near MediterraneanLand near Mediterranean
IslamIslamPorkPork
Why?Why? Pigs unsuited for dry land of Pigs unsuited for dry land of
Arabian PeninsulaArabian Peninsula
Compete with humansCompete with humans
Ecological disasterEcological disaster
HinduismHinduismCowsCows
Why? Why?
EnvironmentEnvironment
Religion Religion
Food Taboos
Taboos are often found Taboos are often found in countries that are in countries that are dominated by popular dominated by popular cultureculture Americans don’t eat Americans don’t eat
insects insects
TerroirTerroir Contribution of a Contribution of a
location’s distinctive location’s distinctive physical features to the physical features to the way food tastesway food tastes
Effects of local environment Effects of local environment on a particular food itemon a particular food item
Often used to refer to the Often used to refer to the combination of soil, climate, combination of soil, climate, and other physical features and other physical features that contribute to the that contribute to the distinctive taste of a wine.distinctive taste of a wine.
Isolation Promotes Cultural DiversityIsolation Promotes Cultural Diversity
A group’s folk customs develop through centuries A group’s folk customs develop through centuries of relative isolation from customs practiced by of relative isolation from customs practiced by other cultural groupsother cultural groups
Himalayan ArtHimalayan Art
Study of Himalaya Study of Himalaya MountainsMountainsDistinct views of the Distinct views of the physical environment physical environment emerge among emerge among neighboring cultural neighboring cultural groups that are isolatedgroups that are isolated Four religious groupsFour religious groups
Tibetan Buddhists in northTibetan Buddhists in northHindus in the southHindus in the southAnimists in the eastAnimists in the eastMuslims in the westMuslims in the west
Through paintings each Through paintings each group revealed how their group revealed how their folk culture mirrored their folk culture mirrored their religion and views of the religion and views of the environmentenvironment
Folk HousingFolk Housing
The house is a product The house is a product of both cultural traditions of both cultural traditions and natural conditionsand natural conditions Reflection of cultural Reflection of cultural
heritage, current fashion, heritage, current fashion, functional needs, and the functional needs, and the impact of the environmentimpact of the environment
Distinctive Building MaterialsDistinctive Building Materials
Type of building Type of building materials used to materials used to construct folk houses is construct folk houses is influenced partly by influenced partly by resources availableresources available Two most common Two most common
materials are wood and materials are wood and brickbrick
Wood preferred because it Wood preferred because it is easy to build withis easy to build with
Log cabins in forested Log cabins in forested regionsregions
Choice of building Choice of building materials is materials is influenced both by influenced both by social factors and social factors and what is available in what is available in the environmentthe environment Hot, dry climates - Hot, dry climates -
bricksbricks
HousingHousing
► Even in areas that share Even in areas that share similar climates available similar climates available building materials, folk building materials, folk housing can vary because of housing can vary because of minor differences in minor differences in environmental featuresenvironmental features
► Example: ChinaExample: China All use similar building All use similar building
materialsmaterials Share similar objectiveShare similar objective
► Temp protectionTemp protection
All have individual designsAll have individual designs
► Differences attributed to local Differences attributed to local cultural preferencescultural preferences
Distinctive House Form and Distinctive House Form and OrientationOrientation
►Form of houses might reflect religious Form of houses might reflect religious values, environmental, and social values, environmental, and social conditions. conditions.
Beliefs and Folk House FormsBeliefs and Folk House Forms
►The distinctive form of The distinctive form of folk houses may derive folk houses may derive primarily from religious primarily from religious values and other values and other customary beliefs rather customary beliefs rather than from environmental than from environmental factorsfactors Compass directions may Compass directions may
be more important than be more important than othersothers
Sacred PlacesSacred Places
JavaJava Front door often faces Front door often faces
southsouth Direction of the South Direction of the South
Sea GoddessSea Goddess
Holds the key to Holds the key to earthearth
FijiFiji East wall of house East wall of house
sacredsacred
MadagascarMadagascar Main door on westMain door on west
Most important Most important directiondirection
►ThailandThailand Yuan and ShanYuan and Shan Sleep with head Sleep with head
towards easttowards east Staircases must not Staircases must not
face westface west►Direction of death Direction of death
and evil spiritsand evil spirits
►LaosLaos Beds perpendicular to Beds perpendicular to
the center ridgepole in the center ridgepole in househouse
Head =noble, high Head =noble, high valuevalue
Feet= low valueFeet= low value
U.S. Folk House FormsU.S. Folk House Forms
Older houses in U.S. display local Older houses in U.S. display local folk-culture traditionsfolk-culture traditions When families migrated west new When families migrated west new
homes reflected preference on East homes reflected preference on East CoastCoast
Three major hearths of folk house Three major hearths of folk house forms in U.S.:forms in U.S.: New EnglandNew England Middle AtlanticMiddle Atlantic Lower ChesapeakeLower Chesapeake
Today, distinctions are difficult to Today, distinctions are difficult to observe due to rapid observe due to rapid communications and transportation communications and transportation systemssystems
U.S. Folk HousingU.S. Folk Housing
Lower ChesapeakeLower Chesapeake Tidewater styleTidewater style Typically one-storyTypically one-story
Steep roof Steep roof
Chimneys at either endChimneys at either end
Migration spread these Migration spread these houses from Chesapeake houses from Chesapeake Bay – Tidewater, Virginia Bay – Tidewater, Virginia area to Southeast coastarea to Southeast coast
U.S. Folk HousingU.S. Folk Housing
The Middle AtlanticThe Middle Atlantic Principle housePrinciple house
““I” houseI” house Two full storiesTwo full stories Gables on sidesGables on sides One room deep, two One room deep, two
rooms widerooms wide
Migrants carried house Migrants carried house type westward across type westward across Ohio Valley and along Ohio Valley and along Appalachian trailAppalachian trail
Most prevalentMost prevalent
U.S. Folk HousingU.S. Folk Housing
►New EnglandNew England Four house types popular Four house types popular
at various times in 18at various times in 18thth and 19and 19thth centuries centuries
►SailboxSailbox►Two-chimneyTwo-chimney►Cape codCape cod►Front gable and wingFront gable and wing
Migrants carried house Migrants carried house types northward to upper types northward to upper NE and across Great NE and across Great Lakes regionsLakes regions
U.S. Folk HousingU.S. Folk Housing
►Today distinctions are Today distinctions are relatively difficult to relatively difficult to observe in the United observe in the United StatesStates Degree of regional Degree of regional
distinctiveness distinctiveness diminishingdiminishing
►Rapid constructionRapid construction►Communication/ Communication/
transportationtransportation
No longer built by people, No longer built by people, mainly companiesmainly companies