Appalachian Culture

Visual Arts Much of the art produced in Appalachia was functional—while it was beautiful, it was used in their everyday lives. The Appalachian people were hardworking and had little time to spend on creating art that was not useful. Weaving, woodworking, quilting, and basketry were common Appalachian art processes.

Visual Arts While most Appalachian art was functional, art was occasionally created that had no purpose but artistic expression—created to express emotions, ideas, or feelings. Appalachian art create for artistic expression is called folk art.

Visual Arts Appalachian Quilt Basket Weaving Weaving on a Loom http://www.news.appstate.edu/2008/09/22/appalachian-quilts/ Basket Weaving http://www.yelp.com/events/houston-learn-appalachian-basket-weaving Weaving on a Loom http://www.wbir.com/rss/article/249205/8/Tuesday-Weavers-mix-looms-and-laughter

Dance Social dances were important to the Appalachian people. They worked hard during the day, and this gave them an opportunity to get together and have some fun. Dances, such as the Virginia Reel, that were popular with colonists were also popular in Appalachia. They were popular in Appalachia much longer than they were in the colonies.

Dance Some other Appalachian dances include: square dancing, clogging, and flatfooting. With clogging and flatfooting, there is not much arm movement. The movement of the feet is emphasized. The dancer’s shoes act much like percussion instruments. With all of these dances, the goal was to have fun.

Dance Not all people in Appalachia danced. Some churches taught that dancing and the fiddle were not appropriate. Oftentimes, people would gather for “play parties,” instead of dances. Play party games involved moving to music. Basically, play parties were dances with another name.

Dance Wild Goose Chase Cloggers http://thecelticjunction.com/residents/wild-goose-chase-cloggers/

Music Most of the Appalachian people could play an instrument, sing, or tell stories. This was because the Appalachian people had to provide their own entertainment. All community events included singing and dancing. Appalachian music and songs had origins in music from England and Scotland. Ballads like, “Barbara Allen” and fun songs like, “Cluck Old Hen” were sung.

Music Common Appalachian instruments included the “jaw-harp,” fiddle, dulcimer, and hammer dulcimer. They also used items like “bones” and “spoons” to shake and rattle. The dulcimer was invented in Appalachia.

Music Jaw Harp Hammer Dulcimer Fiddle Dulcimer http://kk.org/cooltools/archives/1756 Hammer Dulcimer http://people.delphiforums.com/SIGN543/Dulcimer.html Fiddle http://www.sheetmusicjazz.com/band-instruments/viola-fiddle-stringed-bowed-musical-instrument.html Dulcimer http://www.interstatemusic.com/20665-Folkcraft-CSH-Series-4-String-Hourglass-Dulcimer-Northern-Cherry-2313524KA.aspx

Drama Storytelling was an important part of entertainment in Appalachia. The characters in the stories demonstrated qualities that the Appalachian people had. They were brave, hardworking, and stubborn. Many of the stories told of the hardships of living in Appalachia, but at the same time, they were often humorous.

Drama Jack is a common character in Appalachian tales. These stories are called, Jack Tales. In these stories, Jack, though he came from a poor family, used common sense, luck, and trickery to come ahead.

Resource Arts & Humanities: The Student Handbook Elementary Edition—Intermediate Grades 4-5 By Katie Fraser Carpenter