CHAPTER 4: MANY WORLDS (Cultures): GEOGRAPHIES OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCE

CHAPTER 4: MANY WORLDS (Cultures): GEOGRAPHIES OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCE

How geographic differences are influenced by culture
Introduction How geographic differences are influenced by culture World view affects perceptions and perceptions affect behavior – Foundational assumptions, attitudes, religion & cosmology Segregation in the United States Pejorative and racist place-names

How geographic differences develop
Introduction How geographic differences develop Cultural differences over short distances—example of south Florida Effects of globalization

Cultural Geographies No single way of seeing land and landscape
Introduction Cultural Geographies No single way of seeing land and landscape Places experienced differently between men and women Relation to self and belonging

Increasing influence of globalization
Many cultures Increasing influence of globalization First use of word culture in the fifteenth century Term folk culture is invented – relic Example: Amish, Cajun, Gullah,Garifina (Central Americ) Subcultures – age, economic, regional Examples: “Baby Boomers,” Bikers, Senior Citizens, etc.

Origin of Folk culture Social custom originates at a hearth
Origin of folk customs Anonymous hearths Unknown date Unidentified originators FOLK SONGS Content derived from everyday life Tell a story – historic event or struggle 16 Tona

16 Tons Some people say a man is made outta mud A poor man's made outta muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong You load sixteen tons, what do you get Another day older and deeper in debt Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul" You load sixteen tons, what do you get Another day older and deeper in debt Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain Fightin' and trouble are my middle name I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion Cain't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line

Maintaining folk culture by immigrants in a new land.
The Human Mosaic

Ethnic minority drummers in China
The Human Mosaic

Amish in Pennsylvania

Amish Settlements

Amish Diffusion Interregional migration
Every adult son is to receive a farm Finite quantity of suitable land in Lancaster, Pennsylvania Movement to places where farmland prices are lower and land is available Christian & Todd counties in Kentucky To escape tourists who come to gawk The Human Mosaic

Classifying culture traits
Many cultures Classifying culture traits Material culture Examples: distinctive tools, utensils, furniture, etc. Nonmaterial culture (conscious & subconscious) Examples: attitudes, objectives, mores, biases & prejudices

Material Culture traits (objects): Sicilian Wedding Cart
The Human Mosaic

Classifying cultures Folk culture (common characteristics)
Many cultures Classifying cultures Folk culture (common characteristics) Maintaining a way of life the way it was in the past Rural people Cohesive Order maintained through religion or family Folk geography Examples: Amish, Cajun,

Classifying cultures Popular culture Many cultures
Trendsetters: the Beetles Chinese Punk Rock Band Classifying cultures Popular culture Originates at a particular time & Place Usually has a known originator Mainly in urban areas Access to media – particularly the Internet Cash economy Tends to change & respond to fads

Hip-Hop culture – distinctive dress w/bling
The Human Mosaic

Globalization of Hip-Hop: Tokyo Urban Hip-Hop
The Human Mosaic

Hip-Hop art: mural on exhibition
The Human Mosaic

Classifying cultures Popular culture Many cultures
Family structure weak Examples of outside influences Media Internet Secular institutions of authority Beetles more popular than Jesus according to John Lennon Opinions of peers trumps that of parents or religious or educational institutions

Classifying cultures Indigenous culture Ainu on Hokkaido, Japan
Australian Aborigines Classifying cultures Indigenous culture Native Convention of indigenous and tribal peoples Somewhat like folk cultures except by origin Live in colonized homelands Examples in USA?

Folk & Popular sports Modern spectator sports – examples of popular culture Soccer Began as a British folk sport 11th century Became a popular sport (globalization) Diffused to Europe 19th century Spread with European imperialism The World Cup is a major international event

Surviving folk sports Britain & former colonies – cricket
Ice Hockey – Canada, N. Europe, & Russia China – martial arts Baseball – North America, Japan, Dominican Republic Football – grew out of modified rugby in U.S. Lacrosse – developed from an Iroquois game & spread to Canada, U.S., England & Australia

Material folk culture regions
Regions of difference House Type Diffusion Material folk culture regions Vestiges of folk culture remain in the United States House types Example of African-American culture Mormon

Diffusion of New England house types
The Human Mosaic

Florissant, MO – French house types

The Human Mosaic

French vertical log cabins in St. Genevieve, MO

The Human Mosaic

Material folk culture regions
Regions of difference Material folk culture regions Example: Québec French folk region, Cajun Louisiana Can be a force for dissolution or devolution in multi-national states such as Canada Large number of people Located primarily in one large province

The Human Mosaic

Britain has granted Scotland its own parliament and Wales may follow
Britain has granted Scotland its own parliament and Wales may follow. Sometimes granting greater autonomy can stave off a full scale revolt and independence. The Human Mosaic

Is popular culture placeless?
Regions of difference Is popular culture placeless? Greater mobility Less attachment to place Geographer Weiss—identified 40 “lifestyle clusters” in the United States Used zip codes Subcultures

Indigenous culture regions
Generally located in more remote areas Example of “Hill Tribes” of South Asia Persist in Central America—example: Mayan culture region Andean region of South America Andean Village

Mayan Hut The Human Mosaic

Pamfillo, 18-yr-old Mayan young man in Belize with Jesuit priest Fr
Pamfillo, 18-yr-old Mayan young man in Belize with Jesuit priest Fr. Rich Buhler. Pamfillo was raised in a home like the one in the previous slide.

Folk and Popular food Customs
German Mett....raw pork marinated with spices and onions...yumz! Food and drink Customs influenced by environment conditions People accept or reject foods for cultural (often religious) reasons Vary from place to place in the United States: preferred types & names of common types The South The North Fast-food consumption spatial variations

Environmental Influences
Pan-fried tofu Fuel scarcity Soybeans – toxic when eaten raw Changed when cooked but uses much energy Asian solutions – don’t cook Soy sauce (fermented) Bean curd (steamed) Bean sprouts (germinated seeds) Southern Europe – quick frying uses less fuel Northern Europe – no shortage of fuel (wood) Foods prepared by slow stewing & roasting Also provided home heat in a cold climate

Food & Drink Taboos Often embedded in religions
May reflect environmental concerns Vegans, etc. Jews from eating pork & some other animals Kosher preparation guidelines Certain mixtures are to be avoided Muslims Pork & alcohol Hindus Sanctions against eating beef Many are vegetarians

World wine production

Wine Distribution is environmentally influenced
Requirements for wine grapes Soil coarse & well drained Climate – best where precipitation comes in the winter (Mediterranean climate) Exposure to sun planted on hillsides South-facing in the northern hemisphere North facing in the southern hemisphere

Popular Clothing preferences
More Developed Countries (MDCs) Choices reflect occupation & income rather than environment More affected by globalization (media) LDCs & folk cultures More influenced by environment and local/regional cultures & religions

The Human Mosaic

Jeans: America’s great contribution
Diffusion of Western (U.S.) popular culture Produced all over the world People pay premium prices for Levi Strauss – even used pairs Worn everywhere

The Human Mosaic

Diffusion of Popular Media
Television is “King” Internet may be heir apparent

Popular music Easily viewed and obtained from modern m edia
Regions of difference Popular music Easily viewed and obtained from modern m edia Different styles of music reveal geographical patterns – particularly folk and indigenous music Cajun: Doug Kershaw Example of Elvis Presley Changed the nature and performance of popular music on a world-wide scale Likewise, the Beetles world-wide influence

Vernacular culture regions
Regions of difference Vernacular culture regions Spatial perception of population Wilbur Zelinsky's vernacular regions Joseph Brownell sought to delimit “Midwest” Often perpetuated by mass media The Human Mosaic

Wilbur Zelinsky's vernacular regions
The Human Mosaic

Vernacular Architecture
It is a type of architecture which takes shape during time and is based on the culture, climate, and materials of it's region as well as on the needs of its inhabitants. It becomes a pattern (model) and is a specification (defining trait) of the region. The Human Mosaic

The Human Mosaic

Diffusion and cultural difference
Agricultural fairs Spread in a folk setting Example of spread from Yankee folk region Promoted by agricultural societies Entertainment was added—racetrack and midway Best prize in agricultural products was added The Human Mosaic

Blowguns: diffusion or independent invention? Found in both hemispheres Probably first used on the island of Borneo No written record of their beginning or use Factors that can resolve the issue The Human Mosaic

Amazon Blowgun The Human Mosaic

Blowguns from Borneo The Human Mosaic

Diffusion in popular culture Hierarchical diffusion and McDonald's restaurants Reverse hierarchical diffusion and Wal-Mart Role of modern transportation and communications networks The Human Mosaic

Advertising Most effective in popular culture Can determine success or failure of a product Minimized importance of time-distance decay Image of place The Human Mosaic

Communications barriers Example of radio stations refusing to play punk rock Other forms of music encountered similar problems Live concerts helped spread the music 1950s TV wouldn’t show Elvis below the waist The Human Mosaic

Communications barriers Government censorship Example of Iran Example of Taliban in Afghanistan Not sustainable because of modern communications 1989 Tiananmen Square Newspapers can act as selective barriers The Human Mosaic

Tiananmen Square Demonstrations 1989
The Human Mosaic

IV. Diffusion and cultural difference
Diffusion of the rodeo Rooted in the ranching culture—neighborhood effect Started in folk culture Cowboys held contests at roundup time Became formalized with prizes The Human Mosaic

Diffusion of the rodeo Commercial rodeo Example of Wild West show at Omaha Commercial rodeos spread throughout the West and parts of Canada Greatest acceptance in popular culture west of Mississippi and Missouri River The Human Mosaic

Ecologies of difference
Indigenous ecology Most see indigenous cultures as knowledgeable about their environment During European colonialization, indigenous peoples seen as destroyers of the land The Human Mosaic

Indigenous ecology Indigenous cultures often occupy territory viewed as critical to global diversity Best known example? Example of national parks and other protected areas The Human Mosaic

Indigenous ecology Indigenous cultures often occupy territory viewed as critical to global diversity Tropical rainforests around the world Importance of knowledge for management and land use practices The Human Mosaic

Local knowledge Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) May be superior to Western scientific knowledge Allowed experimentation with new crops and agricultural techniques Global economy applies heavy pressure to subsistence economies The Human Mosaic

Global economy Example of the Miskito Indians in Nicaragua Subsistence economy Outside demand for green turtles decimated population Subsistence production in other areas suffered The Human Mosaic

Global economy Indigenous cultures sometimes must seek support from government agencies Example of the Quichua populations in the Ecuadorian Andes Must use outside ideas and technologies to promote their own culture The Human Mosaic

Folk ecology Have close ties to the land When migrating seek lands similar to ones left behind Example of Appalachian hill people The Human Mosaic

Gendered ecology Gender is an important variable in cultural ecology Distinct roles in agroforestry Example: Diane Rocheleau’s gender study Environmental planning should address gendered differences The Human Mosaic

Ecology of popular culture People less tied to environment People have enormous potential for producing ecological disasters Popular culture impacts Increasing demand for natural resources Air and water pollution Land use Desert golf courses – poor use of finite water supplies

Ecology of popular culture
Recreation Increased in affluent regions Recreational machines create air pollution Soil erosion Overtaxing of environments in national parks

Interaction and difference
Introduction Core beliefs in folk culture limit degree of environmental disturbance Popular culture has potential, through interaction, to cause massive restructuring

Introduction Cultures are converging Wilbur Zelinsky's given-name study

Mapping personal preference Media often produces place images Color our perception May be inaccurate Example of Hawaii People have always formed images of faraway places

Landscapes of difference
Folk architecture Very distinctive Little change over time Traditional, conservative, and functional structures

Folk architecture Harmony with the environment Numerous characteristics help classify farmsteads and dwellings Helps to establish cultural influences in a region

Folk housing in Sub-Saharan Africa Compound of buildings—kraal Use of local materials Shapes differ The Human Mosaic

Folk housing in Sub-Saharan Africa Different cultures identified by change in house types Example: Ndebele culture region The Human Mosaic

Folk housing in North America Few are built today Yankee folk houses New England “large” house Changed as Yankee folk migrated westward The Human Mosaic

Folk housing in North America Upland southern folk houses Smaller—built of notched logs Dogtrot house French-derived Creole cottage

Dogtrot house

French Creole Cottage

Folk housing in North America Canada Common types with main story atop cellar Often built of stone Description of the Ontario farmhouse

Folk housing in North America Interpretation of folk architecture is difficult Independent invention versus diffusion May be all that is left of the culture Florissant Houses Street names Town name Park name

Landscapes of popular culture Tends to encourage uniformity However, continually changing styles Diffusion of fast-food restaurants & commercial logos i.e. the “Golden Arches” World-wide diffusion of Japanese autos “Cookie-cutter” approach to building Evolution of the commercial strips and malls From houses to commercial landscapes

Uniformity vs. Cultural Differences
Will folk customs and indigenous culture disappear? Probably not – cultural elements that resist change Religious beliefs and practices Taboos: diet & behavior Languages Distinctive dress for special occasions

Landscapes of popular culture Example: West Edmonton Mall in province of Alberta, Canada Largest indoor mall Includes recreational areas Described as a “landscape of myth and elsewhereness” The Human Mosaic

Leisure landscapes Designed for weekends and vacations Amenity landscapes—regions with attractive natural features Example of Minnesota North Woods lake country Relict buildings collected to form “historylands” The Human Mosaic

Elitist landscapes Clustering by people of similar wealth, education, and taste The French Riviera Building codes Normal activities gone The Human Mosaic

The Boulders in Carefree, AZ

The Human Mosaic

Elitist landscapes Gentleman farms in America An avocation for affluent city people Examples in the eastern United States High concentration in the Kentucky Bluegrass Basin The Human Mosaic

The American scene Preeminence of function over form Fondness for massive structures The Human Mosaic

The American scene Americans regard cultural landscape as unfinished Collections of heterogeneous buildings Eye-catching structures The Human Mosaic

CHAPTER 4: MANY WORLDS (Cultures): GEOGRAPHIES OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCE

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CHAPTER 4: MANY WORLDS (Cultures): GEOGRAPHIES OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCE

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