Chapter 4: Folk and Popular Culture

1. Chapter 4: Folk and Popular Culture The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography

2. Culture • The combination of three things: • Values • Material artifacts—This chapter deals with material artifacts • Political institutions

3. Culture can be distinguished from habit and custom • Habit—A repetitive act that an individual performs (wearing jeans) • Custom—Repetitive act of a group, performed to the extent that it becomes characteristics of the group (US college students wearing jeans to class) • A collection of social customs produces a group’s material culture. • Material culture falls into 2 categories: folk and popular culture • Folk culture • Traditionally practiced by small, isolated, homogeneous groups in rural areas (i.e. distinctive clothing worn by a small group of people). • Popular culture • Characterized by large, heterogeneous groups of people who share common habits (such as wearing jeans) despite differences in other personal characteristics. The scaleof territory is much larger in popular culture. • Geographers are interested in two aspects of culture: • Where cultures are located in space • How cultures interact with the environment

4. Folk or Local Culture: A group of people in a particular place who see themselves as a collective or a community, who share experiences, customs, and traits, and who work to preserve those traits and customs in order to claim uniqueness and to distinguish themselves from others.

5. Where Do Cultures Originate and Diffuse? • Social customs originate at a hearth, center of innovation • Folk customs often have anonymous or multiple hearths • Popular culture is most often a product of MDCs. • Example: Popular music—Arose from a combination of advances in technology and increased leisure time. • People in MDCs have disposable income and leisure time that allow for these innovations • Popular culture diffuses rapidly, via hierarchical diffusion, and over a large scale • Example: Sports

6. Origin of folk and popular music • Folk music characteristics • Tells a story or recounts important life events or activities • Personal in nature • Usually composed anonymously and transmitted orally. • Popular music characteristics • Written by individuals for the purpose of selling to a large audience • Highly technical—can only be performed in a studio • Originated around 1900 • Diffusion began in earnest during WWII when Armed Forces Radio Network broadcast music to American soldiers. Consequently, English became the official language of popular music. • Hip-hop music—Originated in NYC in late 1970s in South Bronx, a neighborhood predominantly populated by low-income African Americans. It has diffused rapidly around the world through instruments of globalization.

7. Popular music map—Shows the hierarchy of popularity of artists and types of music as reflected in the rec.music newsgroup. Figure 4-2

8. Hip-hop map—Fictional map attempts to place prominent hip-hop performers in proximity to similar perfromers as well as in the region of the country (NE, South, Midwest, West, inner city, suburbs) where they performed. Figure 4-3

9. Diffusion of Folk and Popular Cultures • Popular culture diffuses rapidly through hierarchical diffusion • Ex: Broadcasting of American popular music on Armed Forces Radio • Prominent nodes of innovation include Hollywood (film industry) and Madison Avenue in NYC (advertising agencies). • Diffuses rapidly through modern communications and transportation • Folk culture diffuses more slowly through migration • Hip-hop is considered popular music b/c it diffuses primarily through electronics, not migration.

10. The Amish: Relocation Diffusion of Folk Culture • Distribution of Amish folk culture is explained by diffusion through migration—In early 1700s, Amish migrated to US and were enticed by low-priced land offered by William Penn. Amish culture has since diffused slowly through interregional migration. • Lancaster County, PA at one time had the largest concentration of Amish. Because land has become more expensive, many Amish are migrating to the cheaper land in southwestern Kentucky.

11. Rural Local Cultures • Migration into rural areas is less frequent. • Can better separate their culture from others and from popular culture by living in rural areas. (Amish, Mennonites, Hutterites & Mormons have done this) • Can define their own space. • Daily life my be defined by a shared economic activity.

12. Distribution of Amish—Distributed throughout Northeast US. Amish farmers often shun the use of mechanical devices for farming. Figure 4-4

13. Sports: Hierarchical Diffusion of Popular Culture • Many sports originated as isolated folk customs and were diffused through migration of individuals. However, contemporary diffusion of sports displays characteristics of popular culture. • Folk Culture Origin of Soccer • Earliest documented contest took place in England in 11th century—After Danish invasion of England between 1018 and 1042, workers excavating a building sight encountered a Danish soldiers head, which they began to kick. • Globalization of soccer • Began in the 1800s—Increasing leisure time allowed people to participate or pay to see these events. This created a demand to hire professional players. British citizens diffused the game throughout British Empire. In 20th century, it was further diffused by new communication systems, especially radio and TV.

14. Each country has its own preferred sports. Lacrosse has fostered cultural identity among the Iroquois confederation of Six Nations (Cayugas, Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Sencas, Tuscaroras) who live in northeastern US and southeastern Canada. Figure 4-5

15. Why Is Folk Culture Clustered? • Influence of the physical environment • Folk culture = close connection to the environment • Most folk cultures are rural and agricultural • Clothing is often tied to environmental conditions • Example: Wooden clogs in the Netherlands—Dutch farmers wear these b/c they are waterproof. The fields they work in are often extremely wet b/c much of Netherlands is below sea level.

16. Influence of the physical environment • Food preferences and the environment • Food preferences are adapted to the environment • Example: In Asia, rice is grown in milder, wetter environments whereas wheat is grown in colder, drier environments • People avoid certain foods because of food taboos • Ancient Hebrews were prohibited from eating a wide variety of foods. The pig is prohibited in part b/c its meat spoils relatively quickly in hot climates. These biblical taboos were developed through oral tradition and by rabbis into the kosher laws observed today by Jewish people. • Muslims also embrace taboo against pork b/c pigs are unsuited for dry lands of Arabian Peninsula. Pigs would compete w/ humans for food and water w/o being able to pulling a plow, carrying loads, or providing milk. Widespread raising of pigs would be an ecological disaster in Islam’s hearth. • Terroir—The contribution of a location’s distinctive physical features to the way food tastes. • Term is frequently used to refer to the combination of soil, climate, and other physical features that contribute to the distinctive taste of a wine.

17. Istanbul vegetable garden—This is a typical bostan, which is a small garden in Istanbul. Istanbul has around 1,000 bostans. They are able to maximize yields from their small plots of land through efficient manipulation of space, season and resources. 15-20 different vegetables planted at different times of year. Figure 4-6

18. The number of swine produced in different parts of the world is influenced to a considerable extent by religious taboos against consuming pork. Swine are scarce in predominantly Muslim regions. China has more than ½ of world’s swine stock. Figure 4-8

19. Folk Housing and the Environment • Housing = a reflection of cultural heritage, current fashion, function, and the physical environment • Type of building materials influenced by resources available • Two most common building materials = wood and brick • Minor differences in the environment can produce very different house styles. • Construction of a pitched roof is important in wet or snowy climates to facilitate runoff and to reduce weight of accumulated snow. • Windows may face south in temperate climates to take advantage of the Sun’s heat and light. • In hot climates, window openings may be smaller to protect interior from the full heat of the Sun.

20. R. W. McColl compared house types in four villages situated in dry lands of N and W China. All use adobe and timber from the desert poplar tree and share the similar objective of protection from extreme temperatures. Despite the similarities, the houses have individual designs. Kashgar—open air patios, Turpan—open courtyards, Yinchuan—large private courtyards, Dunhuang—sloped roofs. McColl attributed the differences to local cultural preferences.

21. Isolation promotes cultural diversity • A group’s unique folk customs develop through centuries of relative isolation from customs practiced by other groups. • Himalayan Art • In Himalaya Mountains of northern India and southern China, there are four religious groups prevalent: • Buddhists –Paint idealized divine figures, such as monks and saints. • Hindus—Create scenes from everyday life and familiar local scenes. Frequently represent the region’s violent and extreme climate conditions • Muslims—Show the regions beautiful plants and flowers b/c the Muslim faith prohibits displaying animate objects in art. • Animists—Paint symbols and designs that derive from their religion rather than from the local environment. • The distribution of artistic subjects in Himalayas shows how folk customs are influenced by cultural institutions like religion and by environmental processes such as climate, landforms, and vegetation. • These groups display similar uniqueness in their dance, music, and architecture.

23. Beliefs and Folk House Forms • The distinctive form of folk houses may derive primarily from religious values and other customary beliefs rather than from environmental factors. • Sacred Spaces • In island of Java, the front door always faces south, the direction of the South Sea Goddess, who holds the key to Earth. • US Folk Housing • Geographer Fred Kniffen identified three major hearths of folk house forms in the US: New England, Middle Atlantic, and Lower Chesapeake. • Lower Chesapeake—Tidewater style of house typically comprised one story, with a steep roof and chimneys at either end. Spread along the southeast coast. Often raised on piers or on a brick foundation. • Middle Atlantic—Known as the “I”-house; typically 2 stories, one room deep and two rooms wide. Spread westward along Ohio Valley. • New England—Four major house types were popular at various times during 18th and early 19th centuries. Spread westward across Great Lakes region

24. House Types • Kniffen’s traditional American house types: • New England • Mid-Atlantic • Southern Tidewater (Lower Chesapeake)

25. Hearths of House Types Figure 4-12

26. Diffusion of New England House Types As settlers migrated, they carried memories of familiar house types w/ them and built similar structures on the frontier. Thus, New Englanders were most likely to build houses like the Cape Cod when they began to migrate to upstate New York in the 1790s b/c that was the main house type they knew. During 1800s, New Englanders began to migrate farther westward to Ohio and Michigan and they built the front gable type of house typical in New England at that time.

27. The New England “Large” house is a modern adaptation of a Yankee folk house that added a wing as the style migrated westward. It is a 2 ½ story house built around a central chimney.

28. The “Cape Cod” style dwelling from New England features a steep roof with side gables and a symmetrical layout with the door in the center.

29. Why Is Popular Culture Widely Distributed? • Diffusion of popular food and beverages • Some regional differences in food, clothing, and shelter persist in MDCs, but differences are much less than in the past. • Consumption of large quantities of snack foods and alcohol are characteristic of popular societies. Americans choose particular snacks or beverages in part on what is produced or grown locally. • Bourbon consumption concentrated in Upper South, where most of it is produced. Tequila consumption is concentrated in Southwest near Mexico. Canadian whiskey is preferred in communities near Canada. • Wine • The distinctive character of wine derives from a unique combination of soil, climate, and other physical characteristics. • However, wine made today is located in those places that have a tradition of excellence in making it and people who like to drink it and can afford to purchase it.

30. Consumption of Canadian Whiskey and Tequila Figure 4-14

31. Hindus and Muslims often try to avoid alcoholic beverages. Thus, wine production is limited in Middle East and southern Asia primarily b/c of cultural values, especially religion.

32. Rapid diffusion of clothing styles • In MDCs, clothing habits generally reflect occupations rather than particular environments. • Lawyers tend to wear suits, Factory workers wear jeans and T-shirt • 2nd influence in MDCs—higher income • Women’s clothing styles change yearly. Women w/ sufficient income may update their wardrobe frequently w/ the latest fashions. • Improved communications have permitted the rapid diffusion of clothing styles from one region of Earth to another. • Original designs created in Paris can be reproduced in large quantities at factories in Asia and sold for low prices in American chain stores. • Jeans • Symbol of diffusion of Western popular culture. • Became a prized possession for young people around the world after the 1960s.

33. How is fashion in popular culture an example of hierarchical diffusion?

34. How do cultural traits diffuse? Hearth: the point of origin of a cultural trait. Contagious diffusion Hierarchical diffusion

35. Diffusion of Popular Housing Styles • Modern House Styles (1945-1960) • Minimal traditional—Usually one story; small, modest houses designed to house young families and veterans returning from WWII • Ranch house—Replaced minimal traditional in 1950s into 1960s; one story with long side parallel to street; took up a larger lot and encouraged the sprawl of urban areas. • Split-level—Popular variant of ranch house between 1950s and 1970s; lower level contained garage and the new “family room” • Contemporary—Popular between 1950s-1970s; frequently had flat or low-pitched roofs. • Shed—Popular in late 1960s; characterized by high-pitched shed roofs, giving the house the appearance of a series of geometric forms.

36. Diffusion of Popular Housing Styles • Neo-Eclectic (Since 1960) • Mansard—Shingle-covered second-story walls sloped slightly inward and merged into the roofline. • Neo-Tudor—Characterized by dominant, steep-pitched front-facing gables and half-timbered detailing. • Neo-French—Featured dormer windows, usually with rounded tops and high-hipped roofs. • Neo-colonial—Continuously popular since 1950s but never dominant; inside many of these is a large central “great room” which replaced separate family and living rooms, which were located in different wings or floors of ranch and split-level houses.

37. U.S. House Types (1945–1990) Figure 4-16

38. Regional differences in House Types Allocated single-family housing in 20 small towns in eastern US into 5 groups: Bungalow, Irregular Massed, Double Pile, Single Pile, and Ranch. Ranch houses were more common in southeastern towns; double-pile houses predominated northeastern areas. Differences in housing among US communities derive largely from differences in the time period in which the houses were built.

39. The Tudor Revival (1910-1940) became popular in suburban areas in the 1920s. The style is loosely based on Medieval construction.

40. The “bungalow” (1900-1920) was supposedly a modified version of an Indian rural vernacular form. The bungalow typically has a low-pitched roof with wide overhang eaves.

41. This narrow home fits easily on small city lots. In the Midwest this version of the “bungalow” is known as the “Chicago bungalow” style.

42. This “California Ranch” with all rooms on one level takes up a larger lot and has encouraged urban sprawl.

43. Why Is Popular Culture Widely Distributed? • Electronic diffusion of popular culture • Watching television—Diffusion from US to world = 50 years • The most popular leisure activity in MDCs. • 1954—US had 86% of world’s 37 million TVs • 1970—Rapid growth of ownership in Europe had caused US’ share or world’s TV sets to decline to ¼. • 2005—Int’l differences in TV ownership had diminished for most part. Other MDCs had similar rates of ownership to US and ownership rates climbed sharply in LDCs • The Internet—Diffusion from US to world = 10 years • 1995—40 million Internet users worldwide (25 million in US) • 2000—Internet usage in US increased from 9% to 44% of population; Worldwide increased from 40 million users to 361 million. • 2005—World usage more than quadrupled in 8 years to 1.6 billion; US usage continued to increase but at a much more modest rate than the rest of the world.

44. Diffusion of TV Figure 4-18

45. Diffusion of Internet

46. India—Access to the Internet is available in even many rural areas of LDCs

47. Diffusion of Facebook—In 2009, five years after its founding, Facebook had 200 million active users. As with the first few years of TV and the Internet, once again the US had far more Facebook users than any other country. In years ahead, Facebook is likely to diffuse to other parts of the world or be overtaken by other electronic social networking programs Figure 4-21

48. Why Does Popular Culture Cause Problems? • Threats to folk culture • Loss of traditional values • Exposure to popular culture can cause people to turn away from traditional material culture. Since popular culture is dominated by MDCs, the loss of traditional values can lead to the dominance of Western principles (i.e. leaders of African and Asian countries adopting Western business attire) • Media imperialism • US, United Kingdom, and Japan dominate the TV industry in LDCs. Leaders of many LDCs view the spread of TV as a new method of economic and cultural imperialism on the part of MDCs. • Satellites • Satellite dishes have made it possible for people to choose from a variety of programs produced in other countries. • The Chinese gov’t banned private ownership of satellite dishes; however, they have had little success. Despite the threat of heavy fines, several hundred thousand Chinese still own satellite dishes. • Fax machines, Internet, and cell phones have all put limits on government censorship.

49. The influence of Europe, the US and Japan in global popular culture makes many people feel threatened. • France’s govt. subsidizes the French film industry and sets limits on foreign music on the radio

50. Other ways Popular Culture Cause Problems • Environmental impact of popular culture • Popular culture may be imposed on the environment rather than spring forth from it, as with many folk customs. • Modifying nature • Golf courses—Because of their large size (200 acres), they provide a prominent example of imposing popular culture on environment.