Exploring Ireland Theme D

Folklore

Passing down of traditions by any cultural group, transmitted informally, communal or shared traditions

Oral Literature

Verbal expressions, including myths, folktales, riddles, gossip, toasts, rhymes

Performing Folk Arts

Traditional music, song, dance, and drama

Social Folk Custom

Traditions that are significant for community interaction, rites of passage, calendar custom, folk medicine and religion

Material Culture

Tangible aspects of folk tradition, clothing, foodways, recipes, tools, and agriculture

Calendar Customs

Traditions and customs which ritualise the passage of time in folk tradition, ex. The Quarter Days

Mumming

Group of men in disguise performing a play from house to house

Festival

Periodically recurrent social occasion in which members of a community united by ethnic, linguistic, religious, or historical bonds participate in a series of coordinated events

Festive Behavior

All the basic behaviors of everyday life are modified to take on meaningful character.

Rites of Valorisations

Usual time and space is modified. Areas can be reclaimed, cleared, adorned, etc. to make room for special events.

Rites of Purification

The idea of purification and cleansing of a community through a scapegoat that represents all that is evil and negative.

Rites of Reversal

Inversion of social norms. Masquerades between males and females or masters and serfs. Sacred and profane spaces are also used in reverse.

Rites of Conspicuous Display

Important, symbolic elements of the community are touched, adored, and worshipped.

Rites of Conspicuous Consumption

Food and drink are prepared in abundance and consumed in feasts and banquets

Rites of Ritual Drama

Dramas performed during festivals with a strong tie to myths (Ex. is mumming)

Rites of Exchange

Express the abstract equality of a community’s members

Rites of Competition

Cathartic moment in the forms of games

Rites of Devalorisation

At the end of the festival, activities are over and life is returned to normal

Rites Summarized

During festival, societal norms are forgotten and everyone comes together as a community for the cause of celebration