Feature Article
The Seven Trees and Ramapough Ethnicity
America’s Last True Folk Hero
Hermanos y Amigos de Guatemala
Rafael Hernández and the Puerto Rican Legacy of the 369th Regiment’s Harlem Hellfighters
Writing the Songs of our Ancestors: A Folk Songwriting Process
James “The Rooster” Corcoran was a 19th century gang leader in New York City whose life and exploits became the gist for a song cycle. Author Vincent Cross describes the song-writing process.
Cat Bennett and Milkweed Tussock Tubers: A Vision in Purple Potatoes (Among Other Kind)
Milkweed Tussock Tubers is a regenerative agricultural project that is helping to maintain a range of traditions, from seed to field to fork. Farming which has the goal of sustainability helps to return a community to a critical level of local knowledge and skill that connects humans to the environmentl.
Bilingual Folk Storyelling: Pura Belpré and Perez and Martina
Pura Belpre’, noted storyteller, librarian, and writer, is placed in the context of bilingual education and public folklore in New York State.
Refrain: Notes on Crafting Music
The third of three parts in Eric Ball’s essay trilogy, “Homemade Music A Family Tree.” Using the trope of music, the author reflects on his grandfather and his craft.
A Grove of Folk Art on Staten Island: Documenting the Carvings of W. Dixon
The author introduces the concenpt of dendroglyphs and the 1930’s work of W.Dixon who carved on five separate beech trees on Staten Island, NY. Dendroglyphs, or tree carvings, are an ephemeral art form that has been documented to be practiced by Haudenosaunee tribes in the 17th century and by Europeans arriving in North America.
“Kumbaya” and Dramatizations of an Etiological Legend
“Kumbaya” evolved from the African American spiritual “Come by Here.” A transcription by John Bocher, Jr., published in 1955, became the standard version. Howecer, it was widely believed to have been brought from Africa by a missionary. This article traces the origins of the most common origin legends, then looks at those that influenced behavior. It concludes with comments on the persisting belief in an African genesis.
Tears of Trauma: A descendant of Armenian Genocide survivors reflects on conflict in Artsakh
The author reflects on the immigration stories of Armenians and the effects of the Armenian genocide from the context of her own family’s history.
Echoes of a New England Past: The Hopkinton Town Green
The village green is a public common that is found in many northern New York towns and is reflective of the influence of settlement by former New Englanders. The influence of New England migration is also evidenced in place names, foodways, dialect choices, and vernacular architecture. Hopkinton, New York is an example of such cultural migration.
Hadigeodönyöh (They Tell Stories): Uniting the Hodínöhŝö:ni:h Community by Performing and Reimagining the Creation Story
The Haudenosaunee Creation Story retains value and relevance as the versions transmit “elaborate lessons unknwon” outside of their contexts and communities. Each version makes a valuable contribution to understanding the lifeways of Haudenosaunee communities.
Polish Papercutting: Can a 19th-Century Folk Art Be Re-envisioned for the 21st Century?
Polish Papercutting, or Wycinanki, is a traditional folk art. Each wycinanka is hand-crafted, expressing the folk artist’s creativity as well as traditional and regional characteristics. Participation in the art form helps nourish a sense of identity. The author discusses the importance of teaching folk and traditional art within k-12 educational settings.