4.2

Origin & Diffusion of Folk and Popular Culture

MUSIC:

Folk Music

  • Origin: Usually anonymous, transmitted orally; reflects daily life, environment, and community traditions.

  • Function: Tells stories or conveys information about life events (birth, death, marriage) and environmental factors (climate, farming).

  • Diffusion: Spreads relocation diffusion—migrants carry songs with them.

  • Example: Vietnamese folk songs about agriculture (e.g., timing of rice planting).

Popular Music

  • Origin: Written by specific individuals to sell or perform publicly.

  • Features: Technological sophistication; originated around 1900 (Tin Pan Alley, NYC).

  • Diffusion: Spread globally via radio, especially WWII Armed Forces Radio Network; now through streaming(Spotify, Apple Music, Tencent, Gaana).

  • Clustering: Musicians cluster in cities (e.g., Nashville, LA, NYC) for creative networks and job opportunities.

  • Regional Variations (U.S.):

    • Hip-hop → urban areas

    • Latin → Miami & South Texas

    • Country → rural South

SPORTS:

Folk Origins

  • Sports began as isolated folk customs (local traditions).

  • Example: Soccer originated in England (11th century) as “kick the Dane’s head.”

Popular Diffusion

  • 1800s: Soccer standardized in England (Football Association, 1863) → formal rules + professional leagues.

  • Spread globally via British Empire, students, and workers abroad.

  • TV & media enhanced global popularity.

  • Now a major popular culture worldwide.

Regionally Distinct Sports

  • Cricket: UK, former colonies

  • Ice Hockey: Cold regions (Canada, N. Europe, Russia)

  • Wushu: China

  • Baseball: N. America, Japan, Caribbean

  • Aussie Rules Football: Australia

  • Lacrosse: Iroquois origin; cultural identity sport

Esports

  • Originated in Asia (South Korea).

  • Now global via streaming platforms (Twitch, YouTube) and professional leagues.

CLOTHING:

Folk Clothing

  • Reflects environment and cultural traditions.

  • Examples:

    • Wooden shoes (Netherlands) → wet climate

    • Fur boots (Arctic) → cold protection

  • Used to preserve identity or attract tourists.

  • May be controversial when worn across cultural boundaries.

Popular Clothing

  • Reflects occupation, income, and fashion trends, not environment.

  • Diffusion: Rapid through media and travel.

  • Example: Global fashion houses influence clothing worldwide.

  • Women’s fashion changes frequently (color, shape, design).

  • “Fast fashion”: New designs spread globally within weeks.

HOUSING:

Folk Housing

  • Reflects environmental conditions and cultural beliefs.

  • Materials: Locally available (wood, brick, sod, stone).

  • Environmental influences:

    • Pitched roofs in wet climates

    • Flat roofs in hot areas

  • Cultural influences:

    • Java: door faces south (South Sea Goddess)

    • Fiji: east wall sacred

    • China: NW wall sacred

    • Madagascar: west door, NE corner sacred

    • Laos: bed/head orientation shows hierarchy

U.S. Folk Housing

  • Fred Kniffen identified 3 hearths:

    1. New England

    2. Middle Atlantic

    3. Lower Chesapeake/Tidewater

  • Folk styles reflect origin region as settlers moved westward.

Popular Housing

  • Since 1940s, houses show popular styles rather than local ones.

  • Mass-produced homes; rapid communication spreads styles quickly.

  • Styles evolved:

    • Post–WWII: modern

    • Since 1960s: neo-eclectic

FOOD CUSTOMS:

Folk Food

  • Influenced by environment & terroir (soil, climate, terrain).

  • Example: French lentils (Le Puy) have distinct flavor due to volcanic soil.

  • Food preferences reflect adaptation to local conditions.

  • Taboos:

    • Jewish: no pork/shellfish → kosher laws

    • Muslim: no pork → unsuited for desert

    • Hindu: no beef → cows vital for plowing

  • Some taboos protect resources or express identity.

Popular Food

  • Influenced by cultural values & economics, not environment.

  • Regional variations: e.g., “soda,” “pop,” “coke.”

  • Coca-Cola vs Pepsi: shaped by politics & culture (e.g., Québec, Russia, Middle East).

  • Wine Geography:

    • Influenced by terroir (soil, climate).

    • Produced where people have tradition, income, and taste for wine.