1. Key Issue #2: Why is Folk Culture Clustered? Isolation Promotes Cultural Diversity o Himalayan Art P. Karan & Cotton Mather – isolation led to distinct art forms based on religion & environment 4 religious groups: Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Animists Influence of the Physical Environment o Possibilism vs. Environmental Determinism o Many in similar environments have different customs & many in different environments have similar customs o Folk culture often develop in response to physical environment (climate, soil, vegetation, agriculture, food, clothing, shelter) o Sometimes physical environment is ignored (Ex. Not all arctic residents wear snow shoes)

2. Key Issue #2: Why is Folk Culture Clustered? Distinctive Food Preferences o Paying Attention to the Environment Rice in mild, wet climates; wheat in cold, dry regions Often adapt food to conditions: soybeans are toxic if raw but edible with lengthy cooking (also use sprouts, soy sauce, bean curd to avoid long cooking process) Fuel shortage in Italy led to quick frying Abundant wood in Northern Europe led to slow stewing & roasting over fires & to heat homes Terroir – physical environment affects food taste (wine) Local gardens for fresh produce – bostans in Istanbul, Turkey o Food Diversity in Transylvania (about 100 years ago) Customs affected by availability (don’t eat what you don’t have) Also affected by cultural traditions (social, religious, ethnic) Romania (Transylvania region) filled with Hungarians, Romanians, Saxons (German migrants), Jews, Armenians, Szeklers (Germans) Soup was consumed by poorer people

3. Key Issue #2: Why is Folk Culture Clustered? o Food Attractions & Taboos Food affected by characteristics interpreted by culture (based on appearance, natural properties, beneficial/harmful perceived traits) Perceived Enhancement Qualities o Strength, fierceness in battle, lovemaking o Abipone Indians of Paraguay eat jaguars & bulls for strength, bravery o Mandrake root in Mediterranean climates thought to be an aphrodisiac (but used in Middle East & Africa as a drug) Negative Forces Perceived o Restriction imposed by social custom is called a taboo (not just food) o Ainus in Japan (otters), Potato in Europe 17 th & 18 th centuries, Mbum Kpau women in Chad when pregnant (antelopes, goats, chicken), Trobriand Islands in Papua New Guinea (couples don’t eat together before marriage) Taboos sometimes show concern for natural environment (protect, conserve) but typically cultural reasons

4. Key Issue #2: Why is Folk Culture Clustered? o Food Attractions & Taboos Jews – do not eat animals that do not chew the cud or split the hoof, cannot eat aquatic animals without scales (Torah) Muslims – avoid pork Pigs not suited for hot climates or nomadic pastoralism – do not provide benefit beyond food (no milk, wool, carry loads or pull plows) Hindus – do not eat cows (important for farming and pulling plows); viewed as sacred Environmental factors not only reasons: o Jews were “set apart” by food laws o Christians ignore most food laws to distinguish from Jews (universalizing religion – easier to convert followers w/o food laws) Americans avoid eating insects despite nutritional value – eaten widely in other cultures (SE Asia, Africa, etc.)

5. Key Issue #2: Why is Folk Culture Clustered? Folk Housing o Combination of cultural tradition & natural conditions o Distinctive Building Materials Wood, brick, stone, grass, sod, skins, mud, etc. MDCs – cut lumber, shingles, stucco, vinyl, aluminum Hot, dry climates – mud, stucco Stone in Europe, South America Social factors: desirability, cost (drywall interior) o Distinctive House Form & Orientation Religious values Sacred walls or corners (Fiji, China, Middle East, India, Africa) Use of parts of house & furniture arrangement (Madagascar) Household activities in SE Asia (Java, Laos, Thailand) Direction house faces (east for rising sun, etc.) o Housing & Environment Pitched roof for rain runoff & snow accumulation Windows face sout to maximize sun’s heat/light Small window openings in hot climates

6. Key Issue #2: Why is Folk Culture Clustered? U.S. Folk House Forms o Older homes – local folk traditions; westward pioneers build styles similar to East Coast homes o Newer homes – popular culture influences o 3 major hearths/nodes of folk housing in U.S. ①New England (upper New England & southern Great Lakes) 4 types: Saltbox, Two-chimney, Cape Cod, Front gable & wing ②Middle Atlantic (Ohio Valley & Appalachian) I-house, 2 stories with gable to the side, 1 room deep and at least 2 rooms wide ③Lower Chesapeake (southward along Atlantic coast) Tidewater (from VA), 1 story, steep roof, 2 chimneys, often 1 room deep, on piers or brick foundation near wet/coastal areas Regional distinctiveness disappeared today – communication & transportation provide knowledge of alternate styles (mass produced by construction companies)