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