Home to a wealth of folk traditions, South Carolina is culturally and geographically diverse. From the Appalachian Mountains to the Sea Islands and from rural crossroads to urban centers, the state boasts rich sources of traditional culture and folklore. Rooted in family and community activities, folklife involves expressive forms of many kinds that are communicated verbally and by observation or imitation. Folk artists can learn through apprenticeships, but most often are taught informally by family members or close friends. This sharing of information can occur in many different group settings - familial, occupational, religious, social, and educational. Folklife is dynamic by nature, a part of a community's history that continues to develop every day, with every generation.
Digital Traditions was developed to provide access to the Folklife Resource Center (FRC) at McKissick Museum. For thirty years, deeply rooted traditions like quilting, pottery, basketry, communal foodways, and folk music have been documented through audio, video, and photography. For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.
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What is the Folklife Resource Center? Established in 1985, the Folklife Resource Center (FRC) at McKissick Museum focuses on documenting South Carolina traditional culture. The preservation and...
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West Africans brought to the South Carolina and Georgia coasts as slaves settled on geographically isolated plantations whose owners often were absent. Such conditions allowed lowcountry slaves to...
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Wall began playing hillbilly and “old-time” music before it was dubbed bluegrass. He was one of eleven children in a family he described as not very musically oriented. As a teen, he cut his teeth...
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Residents of Parksville, S.C. (McCormick County). Family traditions include barbeque and hashmaking, farming, home remedies, hunting, and haints (ghosts). Mr. Wood was also an accomplished split-oak...
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Audio transcript for: Quilting, Part 1 Early Teaching Quilting, Part 2 Quilting & Sewing, A Family Tradition Quilting, Part 3: Two Of Her Favorite Hymns Quilting, Part 4 Home Remedies
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The South Carolina Piedmont has often been referred to as “The textile center of the world.” Alda Smith’s musical heritage is woven from the influences that migrated throughout the Piedmont during...
