© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Why is Folk Culture Clustered Chapter 4.2 (pp ) The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. I. Influence of the Physical Environment Overview –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, Aboriginal Australians wear no clothes Folk cultures sometimes ignore environmental conditions

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. I. Influence of the Physical Environment (cont.) A. Food preferences and the environment Food preferences are adapted to the environment –Ex.: In Asia, rice is grown in milder, wetter environments; wheat is grown in colder, drier environments Food taboos may be especially strong –People avoid certain foods because of negative associations with that food –Ex.: pork in Islam & Jewish traditions, cow in Hindu Terroir = the sum effects of the local environment on a particular food item

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Swine Stock Figure 4-8

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. I. Influence of the Physical Environment (cont.) B. Folk housing and the environment –Housing is reflection of cultural heritage, current fashion, function & physical env. –Two most common building materials are wood and brick –Minor differences in the environment can produce very different house styles Ex.: U.S. housing (southwest, midwest, northeast) & China

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. House Types in Four Western Chinese Communities Figure 4-9

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. II. Isolation Promotes Cultural Diversity A. Himalayan art Karan & Mather – distinct views of environment even among isolated neighbors role of religion/culture Bhutan & Tibet – Buddhist Nepal – Buddhist & Hindu India – Hindu Pakistan – Muslim Mayanmar/Burma – Animist

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 4-10 – Cultural Diversity in Isolated Regions

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. II. Isolation Promotes Cultural Diversity B. Beliefs and folk house forms 1. Sacred spaces –Examples: Java – front door faces south Fiji – east wall sacred China – northwest wall sacred Madagascar – main door faces west Laos – sleeping space (see figure 4.10) Thailand – sleeping space (con

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 4-11 – Sacred Sleeping Space (Laos vs. Thailand)

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. II. Isolation Promotes Cultural Diversity B. Beliefs and folk house forms (cont.) 2. U.S. folk housing (see figure 4-12) a.Chesapeake/Tidewater style spread to SE coast b.Middle Atlantic style spread to OH valley & Appalachian Mtns. c.New England style spread from MA/CT to Upper NE & to Great Lakes region d.Fewer distinctions today b/c of popular culture

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Hearths of House Types Figure 4-12