Warm Up # People maintain their folk culture despite familiarity with popular culture primarily because of A. concern for the physical environment. B. the high cost of popular customs. C. strong desires to preserve unique customs. D. lack of exposure to the media. 2. Which concept is the contemporary geographer likely to reject? A. People in different environments adopt similar social customs. B. People in similar environments adopt different social customs. C. People do not ignore their environment. D. The physical environment causes people to adopt social customs. 3. China produces a relatively large amount of pork compared to the countries of South Asia primarily because A. China has more people than the countries of South Asia. B. its physical environment is more suitable to raising pigs. C. Buddhists don’t have a taboo against pork consumption. D. All of the above.

Why Folk Culture is Clustered  Isolation Promotes Cultural Diversity  Influence of Physical Environment

Isolation Promotes Cultural Diversity  Folk Culture usually develops over centuries, diffuses slowly through migration, and is influenced by a combination of physical and cultural factors.

Isolation Promotes Diversity  Customs vary from place to place, even among nearby places  Himalayan Art –North – Tibetan Buddhists –South – Hindus –East – Southeast Asian Animists –West - Muslims

Paintings Reveal How Their Folk Culture Mirrors Their Religions And Individual Views Of Their Environment  North – Tibetan Buddhists  South – Hindus  East – Southeast Asian Animists  West - Muslims

Influence Of The Physical Environment  The Environment is only one of several controls over social customs.  Customs such as food, clothing, and shelter are clearly influenced by the prevailing climate, soil, and vegetation.

Distinctive Food Preferences  Along with shelter, food is one of two necessities of daily life that demonstrates the influence of cultural values and the environment on development of unique folk culture.  Food is one of the strongest connections that tie people to an environment.  People are more likely to change other aspects, such as clothing, rather than change their food.  Inhabitants must consider climate when deciding what to grow to eat- example-rice and wheat.

People will adapt their food preferences to conditions in the environment  Asia - Soybeans  Europe Italy – fuel shortages led to quickly fried foods Northern Europe – Abundant fuel source and colder climates led to slow stews and roasts

Diversity In Transylvania  Soup identifies ethnic origin –Romanians –Saxons/Germans –Jews –Armenians –Hungarians –Szeklers

Food Attractions And Taboos  People may desire or avoid food based on its appearance.

Food Taboos  Avoidance of food during pregnancy  Natural Environment  Biblical source  Hebrews and Muslims  Hindus  Insects  Mushrooms and tomato paste