What Are Examples of Folk Culture?
Specific examples of folk cultures include Louisiana Creole cuisine, the Claddagh rings of Galway in Ireland and Amish culture. Folk culture can refer to an entire culture, for example the Amish, or specific elements of a culture.
Folk culture refers to elements of everyday life in traditional, localized people that are immediately recognizable as belonging to that culture. The conveyance of a sense of place is important in folk culture; even when these elements appear in other regions or cultures, they still retain the identity of their founding culture. For example, dishes such as jambalaya, gumbo, and red beans and rice are popular throughout the United States but are still fundamentally Creole cuisine.
The Claddagh ring is an element of Irish culture that, while popular in other nations, is still distinctly Irish. Claddagh rings date back to the 17th century, from a small village near Galway. These rings consist of a pair of hands holding a crowned heart. The hands are for friendship, the heart is for love and the crown symbolizes loyalty.
The Amish are a very recognizable folk culture in parts of the United States and Canada, especially the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Faith characterizes Amish culture, and Amish faith dictates nearly every aspect of a person’s lifestyle. Important features of Amish culture are simplicity and the importance of family.
