What is Folklife and Where Do You Find It?

While one of the smallest states in land area, South Carolina is remarkably diverse, both culturally and geographically. From the Appalachian Mountains to the Sea Islands, dynamic examples of folklife can be found. Rooted in family and community activities, folklife can involve song, speech, and dance...belief, ritual, and custom...music, craft, and cookery ...expressive art forms communicated directly by observation, imitation, or verbally. Take a look around; you'll find exciting examples of folklife in your own backyard!

This transmission of artistic skill can occur in many different settings –the family room, workplace, church social, school recess yard, hunt club, quilting bee, barbecue pit—the possibilities are endless. The traditional aspects of culture are far from static and "old timey." Folklife is dynamic by nature, a part of a community's history that continues to develop every day, with every generation. Folklife is contemporary and relevant, not simply a quaint reminder of activities fading from modern society's experience. An inseparable part of our lives, folklife encompasses aspects of culture that provide a connection to the past, identity in the present, and continuity for the future.