1. Why is Folk Culture Clustered???
Key Issue 2

2. Physical Environment’s Influence
Environmental Determinism
Though modern geographers reject this theory, they admit the physical environment DOES influence human actions— especially regarding folk culture
Folk societies especially responsive to the environment
Limited technology
Prevailing agricultural economy
Food, clothing, and shelter are clearly influenced by the prevailing climate, soil, and vegetation
Food and shelter demonstrate the environmental influence, more than clothing, on unique folk cultures

3. Food Preferences
Inhabitants must consider characteristics of the environment in deciding to produce particular foods
Soil, climate, terrain, vegetation, etc.
Ex. Bostans in Istanbul, Turkey (pg. 112)
People adapt their food preferences to conditions in the environment
Rice is wet parts of Asia; Quick-frying food in Italy due to fuel shortage, etc. (pg. 112)
In many folk cultures, everything in nature has a distinctive characteristic—people may avoid or desire certain foods in response to perceived beneficial or harmful natural traits
Refuse to eat plants or animals that are thought to embody negative forces in the environment
Taboo – restriction on a behavior imposed by social custom
Especially strong in food

4. Food Taboos
May be established as a concern for the natural environment
Protect endangered species or conserve natural resource
Taboos in the Bible
Ancient Hebrews forbidden to eat a wide variety
Animals that do not chew cud, or have cloven feet, and fish lacking scales
Pig prohibited in part b/c more suited to sedentary farming (Hebrews nomadic) and the meat spoils in hot areas (Hebrews along the Mediterranean)
Spread orally—kosher laws today
Muslims will not eat pork
Pigs not suited for dry lands of Arabian Peninsula; compete with humans for food and water, and provide no benefit (pull plow, etc.)
Hindus will not eat beef
Cows are a source of oxen—needed to plow fields at same time every year due to monsoon rains
Environmental factor are NOT the only reasons food taboos exist in these
religions!!!

5. Terroir
The contribution of a location’s distinctive physical features to the way food tastes
Sum of the effects of the local environment on a particular food item
Commonly refers to combination of soil, climate, and other physical features that contribute to the distinctive taste of wine (you might taste MANY years from now)
Coffee

6. Folk Housing
Geographer Fred Kniffen considered the house to be the reflection of cultural heritage, current fashion, functional needs, and the impact of the environment
Type of building material used is influenced partly by by resources available in the environment
Two most common in the world: Wood & Brick
Stone, grass, sod, and skins also used
Even in areas that share similar climates and available building materials, the folk housing may vary due to minor environmental differences
R.W. McColl study of dry lands in China (pg. 114)— contributed differences to local cultural preferences

8. Common Types of Structure
Pitched roofs in wet or snowy climates to facilitate runoff and reduce weight of accumulated snow
Windows may face south in temperate climate to take advantage of the Sun’s heat and light
Windows (other openings) may be smaller in hot climates to protect the interior from the full heat of the Sun
MDCs: Cut lumber, stucco, vinyl, aluminum, or other materials are used to deal with the environment

10. Isolation Promotes Cultural Diversity
A group’s unique folk customs develop through centuries of relative isolation
Folk customs observed at a point in time vary widely from one place to another, even among nearby places

11. Himalayan Art Study by geographers P. Karan and Cotton Mather
Took place in Himalaya Mountains: Bhutan, Nepal, northern India, and southern Tibet (China)
Contains four religious groups: Buddhists (north), Hindus (south), Muslims (west), and Southeast Asian animists (east)
Despite close proximity, limited interaction produced distinct folk customs

13. Himalayan Art Buddhists Hindus
Paint idealized divine figures, such as monks and saints
Some depicted as bizarre or terrifying—reflecting inhospitable environment
Create scenes from everyday life and familiar local scenes
Sometimes portray deity in in domestic scene
Frequently represent region’s extreme climate

15. Himalayan Art Muslims Animists
Show regions beautiful plants and flowers
Faith inhibits displaying animate objects in art
Do NOT depict harsh climates
Paint symbols and designs that derive from their religion rather than from the local environment

17. Beliefs and Folk House Forms
The distinctive form of folk houses may derive from religious values and other customary beliefs—rather than environmental factors
Sacred Spaces – houses may have sacred walls or corners
Ex. Java: front door always faces south—direction of South Sea Goddess (holds the key to Earth)
Ex. Fiji: east wall is sacred (northwest wall in parts of China)
See other examples on pg

18. Folk Houses in the U.S. Fred Kniffen identified three major hearths:
The Lower Chesapeake (Tidewater)—Virginia  along southeast coast
One story, w/ steep roof and chimneys at either end
Along the SE Coast typically one room deep
Built on stilts along the water

19. U.S. Folk Houses
2) The Middle Atlantic—New Jersey  Westward along the Ohio Valley  Southward along the Appalachian trails - Known as the “I-house”—one room deep and at least two rooms wide * Became the most extensive style on much of the eastern coast

20. U.S. Folk Houses
3) New England—Conn./Mass.  Northward  Westward along southern Great Lakes - Four different styles that changed over time (pg. 117) 1. Salt Box 2. Two-Chimney 3. Cape Cod 4. Front Gable and Wing