1. Folk vs. Popular Culture

2. What is folk culture? Culture that is passed on for generations
Traditionally practiced by small, homogeneous groups living in isolate rural areas
Values tradition, community and the old ways
Not modern, not marketed for sale (not originally)
Associated with a “sense of place”
Folk culture region

3. What are some examples of folk culture?
Amish food and building techniques, Native American traditions and religions, bluegrass music, native Hawaiian culture, The wearing of the Sari in India,
Folklore- oral stories passed down from generation to generation

4. How do these images represent folk culture?

5. If folk culture is the culture of tradition, what is the culture of change?
Popular Culture!

6. Popular Culture The widespread cultural elements in society
Often a product of economically developed countries
Mass produced for commercial purposes
Can include:
Fashion, food, technology, music, movies, TV programs, etc…

8. Syncretism The melding of a newer culture with a more folk culture
Example: Amish in a market society

9. How does folk culture meld with popular culture?

10. Folk vs. Popular Music Folk music Popular music Transmitted orally
Tells story about daily activities
U.S. Example
Origins of country music
Popular music
Music industry
Began as traveling mistral and vaudeville shows
Advent and diffusion of the radio
English is the international language of popular music

11. Folk Music
Folk Songs: Folk Music Lyrics & Sound Clips
Gospel Music

12. Pop Music
Billboard Top 100

13. Pop or Folk?

14. Pop or Folk?

15. Pop or Folk?

16. Pop or Folk?

17. Pop or Folk?

18. Cultural Regions

19. What is a Cultural Region?
A geographical unit based on characteristics of culture
What makes places unique?
What foods do they eat?
What kinds of houses do they live in?
What religion are they?
What languages are spoken?
What holidays are important?

20. What region of the United States do you see here?

21. What is a Cultural Trait?
A single attribute of a culture
Examples: Religion, Land use, Language, Types of Eating Utensils, Grave Markers, or Headwear

22. What is a Cultural Landscape?
The human impact on the environment
How people have modified their environment to their specific needs, technologies, & lifestyles.
Ex: Terraced Rice Patties in Southeast Asia

23. Cultural Landscape (Another way to think about it)
Evidence of culture on the space around us
Interactions of a group of people in relation to their own cultural practices as well as to the values of a society as reflected through artifacts & architecture
What takes up almost half of the front of this house?

24. Geographers define cultural regions by…
Evaluating both the cultural traits & cultural landscapes of an area.

25. What cultural region is shown here?

26. Cultural Region American Southwest
What kinds of things come to mind when you think of the American Southwest?

27. Environment Arid Land Sonoran, Great Basin, Mojave Deserts
Plants: Saguaro Cactus, Joshua Trees, Yuccas
Rivers: Rio Grande, Colorado

28. Rivers Rivers: Rio Grande, Colorado
Because of the arid climate many have been dammed to provide water resources

29. Entire Southwest is not arid
Southern California has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, and cool, moist winters

30. Population of Southwest
Blend of Native Americans, Hispanics & Anglo-Americans (white)

31. Anasazi Tribe Cliff Dwellers Irrigation Systems Road Networks
Borrowed by subsequent tribes & European Immigrants to area

32. 200,000 Navajo
Largest Reservation in the United States located in Northeast Arizona

33. Hispanic Element
Symbols like: Chile Peppers, Tortillas, adobe homes, luminarias

34. American Southwest
Under Spanish Control until 1821 & under Mexican control until 1848
Hispanic Population is NOT homogenous
1. Hispanos- direct decedents from 17th century settlers from Spain.
2. Mexican-Americans

35. Mexican-Americans Arrived in region after the Hispanos
Many are mixed Spanish and indigenous decent with cultural characteristics that are both Spanish & Aztec or other Mexican roots.

36. Anglo & European Settlers
Mormons & Settlers from Texas created extensive farms & ranches in the area
Europeans came and settled mining communities in the area

37. Phoenix, AZ 1950 Population: 200,000 2000 Population: 3.1 Million
POPULATION BOOM

38. Economic Activities Associated with Area
Ranching, Irrigated Farming, Mining
Now being dwarfed by retail trade & tourism