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1. Folk & Popular CultureBasic Definitions“What people care about,” “What people take care of.”Habit - repeated by individualCustom - repeated by group (characteristic of group)Culture – a collection of all the customs of a groupNecessities & LeisureEvery culture has needs; every culture has leisure activitiesBut every culture has unique ways of dealing with needsEvery activity has spatial characteristicsEvery culture creates unique landscapesFolk CulturesSmall groups; Isolated; Homogenous; RuralUsually spread by relocation (relocation diffusion)Popular CulturesLarge groups; Widespread; Heterogeneous; UrbanUsually spread by media (TV!) (expansion diffusion)Folk Cultural ElementsFolk music (unique, isolated, usually anonymous origin)Folk Art Usually art not a professionHandicrafts, clothing, tools; traditional forms Folk housinglocal materials, distinctive forms (no “perfect” design)vernacular -- not professionally designedFolk food (must be locally available – BUT taboos, etc.)Folk sports (unique local forms of recreation & play)Folk beliefs (myths, ways to live, etc.)Popular Cultural Elements Vary more over time than from place to place(e.g. more music in 1990s vs. today, less USA vs. UK)Popular MusicDevelopment century ago in US vaudeville, UK music hallsMedia -- radio, World War II spread worldwideIndividual artists, ownership of music, music=“commodity”Popular Art“Movements” (new ways, new methods, change)Art as commodity (for sale as art – not as tools, crafts, etc.)Individual experience & vision emphasizedPopular HousingStandardized materials, designsNot much tied to place, environment Professional architects (individuals) as designersPopular foodsTrends, fads, global shippingBut there are variations (beer consumption low in Utah, etc.)Popular sportsSmall number of sports become hugely popular.Regional variations – popular in some areas, not others“National Sports” – baseball in US, soccer in UK, etc.Popular MediaMost important way popularculturespreads: TelevisionSpread of TV from US to world – nearly everywhere now!Internet (not as common in less developed, but spreading)Cell phone revolution in Africa!Threats to folk cultureLoss of traditional values (esp. role of women!)Foreign media domination(TV yes, but NOT local newspapers or radio)Environmental ImpactsModifying nature (e.g. golf courses, hotels)Popular causes increased demand for resourcesFolk must be in balance with locality or die!Popular can heat, cool; less need to seek balancePollution (far more in Popular than in traditional)Commodification - turning folk culture elements into commodities for sale (reggae, Santa Claus, etc.)“Placelessness” (uniform landscapes – everywhere the same)2. LanguageOrigins? Unknown – but universal & fundamentalNecessary for Social interaction; Expressing emotion; Express ideas/shape ideas; ‘Control’ world; IdentityProblem of counting (languages, dialects, living, dead)Maybe 4,000 languages? More? Fewer?Maybe 100 families? More?Language Families & LanguagesFamily: common origin for languages (parent >> child)Branch: recent common ancestor within a familyGroup: closely related languages within a branchExample: The Indo-European familyBranches: Germanic branch, Romance branch, etc.Groups: North & West Germanic groups, etc.INDO-EUROPEAN>GERMANIC>West Germanic>englishMajor language families today (with >100,000,000 speakers)Indo-European: ~3 billion peopleOnce India-Europe; now worldwide (largest area)Examples: English, Russian, Hindi, Spanish, French, etc.Sino-Tibetan: ~1.5 billion peopleEast Asia (ex. Chinese, Tibetan) ["Tonal languages"]Afro-Asiatic (or Hamitic-Semitic): ~? billion peopleNorth Africa, Middle East (ex: Arabic, Hebrew)Austronesian: >? billion peoplePacific, Madagascar (ex. Hawaiian, Malagasy)Dravidian: ~? billion peopleSouthern India (ex. Tamil, Malayalam)Niger-Congo: ~200,000,000 peopleSub-Saharan Africa (ex. Zulu, Bantu)Altaic: ~200,000,000 peopleCentral Asia, Eastern Europe (ex. Turkish, Mongolian)Japanese: ~125,000,000 peopleJapan (ex. Japanese of course!)Selected Minor Families (less than 100,000,000 people)Austro-Asiatic (Vietnam); Korean (Korea); Caucasian (Caucus Mountains, Black Sea); Tai (Thailand); Khoisan (Southern Africa – the “click languages”!)Isolates – unique, no known relatives (Example: Basque)“Superfamilies”?Combine families? Find deep, ancient origins?Big 3: Nostratic; Austric; Sino-CaucasianSignificance? Well – maybe historical value?! Origins of Indo-European (‘Kurgan’ vs. ‘Anatolian’ theories)Diffusion of languageRelocation (historically, almost all languages)Expansion (only a few [English, Latin] – via education, media)Barriers to expansion (physical, cultural)World's top languagesBy primary spoken language (mother tongue):1. Chinese; 2. English; 3. SpanishBy official status (government):1. English (because of India, other former UK colonies)2. Chinese; 3. HindiEnglishOrigins (Anglo-Saxon + Norman French, +…)Development (Old, Middle, Modern English)Good features of EnglishMost widely spoken (widespread, around the world)Mostly simple grammar, Huge vocabularyBad features of EnglishMany idiomatic expressions (ex. “get up” for “arise,” etc.)Weird irregular plurals, verbs (“ox, oxen”; “go, went”)Insane spelling (“enough”; “through”)Improving spelling? (e.g. “wun naeshun under gawd”??)Language, dialect, accentStandard Language: accepted norms, speech or writingDialect: recognizable speech variant.Accent: distinctive regional way of speaking Language vs. dialect “spectrum”Classification sometimes arbitrary, even political! Drawing language & dialect boundaries: isoglossesIsogloss = isoline defining word usage boundariesIn theory – word-by-word study gives you dialect boundariesReality tends to be a lot messier!Dialects of EnglishIn England three groups: northern, midland, southernIn the US isolation created differencesUS dialects are most obvious in the Eastern USThree main groups: Northern, midland, southern (more?)“Ebonics”? (“African-American Vernacular English”)Official English?Not at National level, but 28 states have English-only laws~60 million Americans today speak non-English Top languages in the US: English, Spanish, Chinese, etc.Search for UnderstandingMixing languages (“Spanglish,” “Franglais,” etc.)Pidgins & CreolesPidgins: Trade language; limited functions, basic grammar“Nobody's native language”Creoles: Syncretism – blending; ‘Pidgin that grew up’Creoles are complete, complex languagesLingua franca (or “world language”)Major existing language used for trade, diplomacy, etc.Once, Latin, French; Today, English is a global lingua francaMultilingualism (speaking two or more languages)Artificial languages (e.g. Esperanto, etc.)Translation & interpretation (not easy!)Translation: more-or-less word-for-wordInterpretation: less literal, more focused on meaningSpecialized & Restricted LanguagesCodes & cryptography; Slang; Cursing; EuphemismsEuphemismsPositive or negative (make things sound better, or worse)Making euphemisms: foreign; abbreviations; abstraction; indirection; understatement; lengtheningPreserving language diversity (language & identity)Preserving languages (Celtic – Irish, Welsh, etc.)Reviving the dead (Hebrew – now official language of Israel)Linguistic refuges Isolated places where languages can surviveex. Cajun (swamps); Caucasian languages (mountains); etc.Language & EnvironmentEffect of landscape on vocabularyLandscape terms; even colors not universal!Toponyms (place names)All inhabited places (and some others, too)Many “specific” + “generic” (e.g. “Cape Town”)Types: Commemorative (ex. New Jersey, Virginia)Natural features (ex. Long Beach)Special sites (ex. Fort Wayne)Other (animals, humor, unknown, etc.)Language change factorsNew technology; new ways of lifeDominance (cultural, political, economic)Language stability factorsInstitutions (education, law, religion); Finance; StatusWritingWays of writingPictogram (earliest)“True” pictograms (just little pictures – too limited)Ideograms (abstract ideas + picture = concepts)Syllabaries (consonant + vowel, one symbol per sound)Alphabets (small number of completely arbitrary symbols)Direction (left-to-right, boustrophedon, etc.), fonts“Non-written” writing (e.g. Incan quipu, etc.)3. Religion Value Systems (society's beliefs, expectations)Religion (value system involving worship & faith)Open & Indirect Effects Food & drink; Housing & architecture; Economy & occupations; Law & custom; Men & women; Birth & death; Politics; Land & landscape Taxonomy of Religions (classification scheme, broadest to narrowest) Religion>Branch>Denomination>CongregationReligion (example, Christianity)Branch (example, Protestant)Denomination (example, Baptist)Congregation (example, 1st Baptist Church of Santee)Cults?FBI definition: “cultic relationship” (not focused on beliefs!)Cults usually haveSelf-appointed leaders; Unique & exclusive faith;Cult is focus of member's lives; Allegiance to leader “Active” vs. “passive” cults (active can be dangerous!)Ways of Classifying ReligionsBy what is worshipped: monotheism vs. polytheism By who may join: universalizing vs. ethnic Universal: seeks converts, uses missionariesEthnic: born to, may allow converts (or may not!)By how many members (and where located)Membership numbersChristianity (>2? billion, ~1/3 of world’s population) Europe, Americas, Africa, OceaniaIslam (~1? billion, ~? of world)North Africa, Middle East, SE Asia Hinduism (~1 billion, ~1/7 of world)India (but once more widespread)Buddhism (~300 million, ~1/20 of world)East & SE AsiaNo religion (~1 billion, ~1/7 of world)Secular areas, developed worldOther (~? billion, ~1/14 of world)US membership numbers~75% Christian, 5% other major faiths~20% unaffiliated (secular, agnostic, etc.)Religious Hearths Middle Eastern Hearth Judaism [Ethnic, monotheistic]15 million; mostly in US, Israel, cities around worldEarliest records ~ 4,000 years ago Exodus from Egypt ~3,300 years ago Babylonian captivity ~2,600 years ago Return to Israel ~2,500 years ago Roman occupation 63 BCE Roman Destruction of Jerusalem 70 CE “Diaspora” 130 CE (forced dispersal)Middle Ages, alternating tolerance & persecution19th Century, Conservative & Reform Judaism20th Century, founding of Israel Beliefs: Monotheism; law (Torah); chosen people -- covenant with God; ethnic religion -- culture and life (not just based on worship)3 branches today: Orthodox, Conservative, ReformNo universally recognized central authorityChristianity [Universal, monotheistic]>2? billion; Europe, Americas, OceaniaHistorical developmentJewish sources; St. Paul; spread via Roman Empire; Emp. Constantine; official religion; Council of Nicaea By 1517 CE 3 branches Eastern Orthodox; Catholicism; Protestantism 1054 Roman Catholic-Eastern Orthodox Schism1517 Protestant Reformation 1648 Treaty of Westphalia (divides Europe)(also -- African Churches, Mormons, other groups)20th Century developmentsFundamentalism, Ecumenical Movement, etc.Christian beliefs: Enormous variation among sectsSome areas of general agreement:Belief in God; Belief in Jesus, virgin birth, Jesus' sacrifice, possibility of universal salvation;Importance of baptism; Importance of church (community of believers); prayerIslam [Universal, monotheistic]>1? billion; North Africa-Central Asia, SE Asia“Arab” is not the same as “Muslim!” (~80% non-Arab!)Life of Mohammed (pbuh)Born c. 570 CE; age 40 visited by Archangel Gabriel; c. 622 CE flees Mecca to Medina(the Hijra - basis of Muslim calendar); return to Mecca 630; died c. 632Expansion – 632 Arabian Peninsula, 650 Middle East, 710 North Africa to Spain, 750 to China!Beliefs Single God who is just, omnipotent and merciful.Islam dates back to the creation of world (not new!)Mohammad (pbuh) last of series of Prophets (e.g. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus).Koran is the word of God, dictated to MohammedAll people children of Adam; all children pure.Day of Judgment (heaven and hell). No individual can atone for another's sins.The 5 “Pillars”: Creed; Prayer 5 times daily; Charity; Fasting – Ramadan; Pilgrimage (to Mecca)Two main branches: Sunni (~80%) & Shi'ite (~20%)Other Middle Eastern ReligionsDruze; Zoroastrianism; Yazeedi; Baha’iNorthern India Hearth Hinduism [Ethnic, polytheistic]1 billion; almost all in India (but once more widespread)Syncretism? 1,500 BCE Indo-Europeans invadeIndo-European + Dravidian religion?Millions of gods (or three! or none!) Reincarnation (see also “twice born”)Caste system May have begun as ethnic segregation? Or not?Four major castes (“Varnas”)Priests (brahmin) (highest)Warrior/ruler (kshatriya) Traders/merchants (vaishya) Laborers (shudra) (lowest)Also “dalits” (or “outcastes,”lower than the lowest!)“twice born” (top 3 castes) vs. “once born”Today, in theory, thousands of castesCaste may determine all aspects of life(e.g. occupation, marriage, etc.) Today, in theory, caste system eliminated (as of 1949)Changes in HinduismEarly (2,000-400 BCE): Vedas (ritual, hymns, etc.) Gods of elements, places Post-classic (c. 100 BCE): “way of devotion”3 major gods (Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu) particular gods (Krishna, Ganesha, etc.) also – “way of knowledge,” philosophic schools (atheist to monotheist!)Buddhism [Universal, polytheistic (sort of polytheistic!)]300 million; mostly E and SE AsiaHindu origins (“reform” of Hinduism)Siddharta Gautama (c.560-480 BCE), the “buddha” Downplays importance of gods; elimination ofsacrifices; ignores caste; individual salvation Four noble truths Life is suffering; desire causes suffering; enddesire to end suffering; end desire with 8-fold path Enlightenment, “nirvana” (end of reincarnation)Branches of Buddhism Theravada (also called “Hinayana”) Mostly Sri Lanka, Burma, SE Asia Conservative -- Buddha's teachings are it!Individuals work out salvation; monasticism Mahayana Mostly China, Korea, Japan New teachings can also be valid; many sectsZen Buddhism; “Amida Buddha,” etc. Buddha is divine, can be new “Bodhisattvas”Decline of Buddhism in India Other Northern Indian Religions (Jainism; Sikhism)East Asian Hearth Confucianism [not exactly a religion] No priesthood, scripture, but Confucius revered; maybe even worshipped some places?Intense cultural importance throughout Asia Kung Fu-Tse (c.551-479 BCE) Teachings: gods probably exist, rituals bring people together, li (courtesy, propriety, rites) Five fundamental relationships father-son (kindness-filial piety) elder brother-younger (gentility-humility) husband-wife (righteousness-obedience) elder-junior (consideration-deference) ruler-subject (benevolence-loyalty) “Idealized feudalism” (place for everyone) 136 BCE Confucians in charge of education — remained in charge until 1905! Taoism [Not exactly a religion] Ethical system? Or religion?Two tracks – high philosophy vs religion,superstitionVarious developments, myths, sects, priests, ritualsLao Tzu, author of “Tao-te Ching “At first, Taoism & Confucianism compete in ChinaEventual merging with Buddhism, Confucianism Beliefs “3 Jewels”: Compassion, moderation, humilityIgnore society, conform only to “the way” The tao cannot be understood, controlled, namedHarmony, simplicity; Life is goodAlchemy?! (life prolongation)“Ideal feudalism” (like Confucianism)?ShintoNative religion of JapanMembership tricky – most Japanese do rituals, few consider Shinto their primary religionHistorical developmentUntil 500 CE no “Shinto,” just “Japanese!”800 CE merge with Buddhism18th century Meiji revival – “State Shinto”State Shinto ends after World War IIToday – 13+ distinct sects, many minor offshootsOther East Asian Religions (Cao Dai; Bon)Other FaithsAnimistic faiths (tribal and native religions)Americas, Africa, Australia, Asia.Declining numbers (but still important in some areas)Voudon (voodoo, and Santeria, Candomble, etc.)Syncretism, blending African faiths and ChristianityFound throughout Americas in former slave-holding regions, parts of Africa.Modern pagansRevived or re-created (or made up!) systemsBased mostly on pre-Christian belief systems.Mostly in secular areas.Cargo cults (attempts to deal with modern technology)The Non-Religious: one billion worldwide are “non-religious.”Atheists: do not believe in any gods whatsoever.Agnostics: uncertain (“a gnosis”= “do not know”)Secular: just means “not related to religion” Cosmogony (worldview, origin of universe) Fatalism vs. idea we can change world Ethnic vs. universalizing (accept as is vs. able to change) Calendar Ethnic religion calendars tend to be agricultural, localUniversal tends to focus on Founder's life, eventsLunar vs. solar calendars (ex. Christian mostly solar, Jewish mostly lunar)Holidays (“holy days” – varying number & importance)Organization of Space Holy Places and PilgrimageEthnic religions: special mountains, rivers, etc.Universal: often places associated with Founder, ‘saints’Pilgrimage Journey made for religious purposeCan be important in either ethnic or universalLargest: Kumbh Mela (12 years; 10 million plus)Largest annual: Hajj to Mecca (3-4 million)Places of worship animist/shamanist (natural spaces)Universal (and some Ethnic) have distinctive architectureSynagogue (sacred space for congregation)Churches (sacred space for congregation)2889250254000Mosque (place for congregation, not always ‘sacred’)Hindu/Buddhist temples (sacred, no congregation)Disposing of the dead Burial in the earth (Christian, Jews, Chinese)Cremation (Hindus)Burial at sea (some animists)Exposure (some animists, some Buddhists, Zoroastrians)Religious settlements monasticism (escape world, monks or nuns)utopian (ideal communities, families, religious focus)Administration of spaceHierarchical vs. locally autonomous religionsHierarchical: Central authority, organized territoryAutonomous: Loose (or no) central authorityReligion & conflictTraditional ideas vs. new ways (e.g. Hinduism & caste)Government vs. religion (Communist states closing churches)Conflicts within a religion (heresy, schism,Catholic-Protestant)Conflicts between religions (“heathens” & “infidels”)Crusades (Christianity vs. Islam)Kashmir (Hindu vs. Muslim)Israel (Jew vs. Muslim; status of Jerusalem, etc.)SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONST F 1. One aspect of popular culture: things tend to vary more over time than from place-to-place.T F 2. One aspect of writing we talked about in class was direction. Some languages are read right-to-left, some left-to-right, some top-to-bottom. One ancient method we talked about goes back and forth – the first line is right-to-left, the next left-to-right, etc. This kind of writing is called “boustrophedon.”3. Two of the religious traditions we talked about in the East Asia hearth are not exactly “religions”; they’re really more like “ethical systems.” One of these was Confucianism, and the other was a. Hinduism.b. Animism.c. Ramadan.d. Taoism.4. One concept of folk and popular culture that we discussed in class was the idea that as popular spreads it encourages a kind of sameness everywhere – Pizza Huts in Japan, Starbucks in Moscow, etc. The problem is, when every location looks the same, it’s hard to care very much about it. We called this problema."similitude."b."inimitableness." c."placelessness."d."schismatism."1771650479425005. Very roughly, how many people in the world today are considered "non-religious" – including those who do not believe in any gods, those who are uncertain, and those who just aren’t particularly interested in religion?2882903891280Distribution of major religions today020000Distribution of major religions today838201669415Diffusion of house types in the Eastern US020000Diffusion of house types in the Eastern US2647951231900017513301363345Classifying languages020000Classifying languages ................
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