Customer Reviews

ARKANSAS FOLKLORE SOURCEBOOK

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An interesting introductory chapter describes the scope of materials that comprise Arkansas folklore, and subsequent chapters outline a history of folklore research in the state. These chapters are useful for discovering sources for researching folklore in Arkansas. The remaining chapters explore topics such as traditional music, storytelling, folk belief, vernacular architecture, foodways, and festivals that are characteristic of Arkansas's traditional culture. The writing is rich and compelling, and the book provides a clear idea of distinctive forms of folklore from the state. The chapter on folk music in Arkansas is especially good, and the discussion of genres and musicians from the Arkansas provides a fine introduction to the topic of traditional music in general. Arkansas, in particular, has a rich legacy of important contributions to American folk music, and the thorough discussion of Arkansans' contributions to old-time, blues, gospel, and country music is remarkable. I also enjoyed the chapters on foodways and vernacular architecture as they provide good overviews of important topics within these subjects.