Folk and Popular CultureFolk 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 changeResistance to change– Diffuses slowlyDiffuses slowly

Usually spreads through Usually spreads through relocation diffusionrelocation 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

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.

Folks music::– usually unidentified– transmitted orally

Can be modified from generation to generation as conditions change

Origin of Popular MusicOrigin of Popular Music

Music written by specific Music written by specific individuals for the individuals for the purpose of being sold to purpose of being sold to a large number of peoplea large number of people– Takes technological skillTakes technological skill– Performed in studio with Performed in studio with

equipmentequipment

Originated in 1900Originated in 1900– Music industry developed Music industry developed

out of Vaudevilleout of Vaudeville– Tin Pan Alley developed Tin Pan Alley developed

in New Yorkin New 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

Post WWII DiffusionPost WWII Diffusion

RadioRadio– Different types of Different types of

music can spread music can spread easier and a bit more easier and a bit more quicklyquickly

– The beginning The beginning personality of the DJpersonality of the DJ

TVTV– Can see the Can see the

musicians, not must musicians, not must have to go to concertshave to go to concerts

– Very quick diffusionVery quick diffusion– Controversies– MTV and music videos

Rap and Hip HopRap and Hip HopHip Hop originated in Hip Hop originated in New York in 1970’s in New York in 1970’s in South BronxSouth Bronx– Low- incomeLow- income– Spread to other low-Spread to other low-

income neighborhoodsincome neighborhoodsQueens, Brooklyn, HarlemQueens, Brooklyn, Harlem

Local “twists”Local “twists”

1980’s 1980’s – Spread to Atlanta and Spread to Atlanta and

Oakland Oakland – Then to other large cities i

n the U.S.

Demonstrates the Demonstrates the interplay between interplay between globalization and local globalization and local diversitydiversity– Makes local references bu

t is 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– Migration not electronicMigration not electronic

Folk CultureFolk Culture

The Amish: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

The Amish1600s 1600s – Swiss Mennonite bishop named Swiss Mennonite bishop named

Jakob Ammann gathered a Jakob Ammann gathered a group of followersgroup of followers

Originated inOriginated in– Bern, SwitzerlandBern, Switzerland– Alsace, FranceAlsace, France– Palatinate region, GermanyPalatinate region, Germany

1700s1700s– Migrated to NW EuropeMigrated to NW Europe– Migrated to for religious Migrated to for religious

freedomfreedom– No distinctive clothing, No distinctive clothing,

language, etc. language, etc.

AmericaAmerica– 11stst wave settled in 1700s in PA wave settled in 1700s in PA

From Bern and PalatinateFrom Bern and Palatinate

William Penn’s offerWilliam Penn’s offer

– 22ndnd wave settled in Ohio, wave settled in Ohio, Illinois, and Iowa in 1800sIllinois, and Iowa in 1800s

Lower land pricesLower land prices

Lived in isolated frontier Lived in isolated frontier settlementsettlement– retained their customsretained their customs

Amish culture is still diffusing Amish culture is still diffusing slowingslowing– Moved from PA to SW KYMoved from PA to SW KY– Growing Metro areasGrowing Metro areas

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 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

Folk Culture Origin of SoccerFolk Culture Origin of Soccer

Early soccer (football) Early soccer (football) games resembled mob games resembled mob scenesscenes– Large # of people Large # of people

gathered from two villagesgathered from two villages– 1212thth century = rules century = rules

King Henry II banned the King Henry II banned the game from England in game from England in late 12late 12thth century due to century due to disruptions of lifedisruptions of life

Not legalized until 1603 Not legalized until 1603 by King James Iby King James I

Globalization of SoccerGlobalization of Soccer

Began in 1800’sBegan in 1800’s– Clubs founded in BritainClubs founded in Britain

Churches, factoriesChurches, factories

– Became a subject in Became a subject in schoolschool

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 Clubs formed an association formed in association formed in 1863 to standardize 1863 to standardize rules and organize rules and organize professional leaguesprofessional leagues– Organization into formal Organization into formal

structure marks transition structure marks transition from folk culture to from folk culture to popular culturepopular culture

Word Soccer originated Word Soccer originated after 1863after 1863– Distinguished from rugbyDistinguished from rugby

Globalization of SoccerGlobalization of Soccer

Late 1800’s soccer is Late 1800’s soccer is exported around worldexported around world– Football first played in Football first played in

Europe in 1870’sEurope in 1870’s– Went to Spain in 1893 Went to Spain in 1893

through English workersthrough English workers

First US college game in First US college game in 1869 called a football 1869 called a football gamegame– colleges wanted to adopt colleges wanted to adopt

British soccer rules but British soccer rules but Harvard wanted Rugby Harvard wanted Rugby rules. Harvard won rules. Harvard won argument which lead to argument which lead to American Football.American Football.

2020thth century century– Further diffused by Further diffused by

communication systemscommunication systems

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

STOPSTOP

List as many sports as you can in which you can link it to a particular country and/or with which they are best associated.

Key Issue 2Key Issue 2

Why is Folk Culture 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 PreferencesFood Preferences

►Food Diversity in Food Diversity in TransylvaniaTransylvania Food customs affected by Food customs affected by

availability of productsavailability of products►Food habits encouraged by Food habits encouraged by

cultural traditionscultural traditions

In Transylvania, food In Transylvania, food preferences distinguish preferences distinguish groups:groups:

Romanians: sour bran Romanians: sour bran soups soups

Saxons: simmered fatty Saxons: simmered fatty pork in waterpork in water

Jews: preferred soups Jews: preferred soups made from beets and sorrelmade from beets and sorrel

Armenians: soup based on Armenians: soup based on churut and vegetableschurut and vegetables

Hungarians: added smoked Hungarians: added smoked bacon to the soupbacon to the soup

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

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.

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

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