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.
Document
Audio Transcript for... Canning Vegetables Corduroy Quilt Curing Meat Killing Hogs Making Lye Soap Making Souse Meat Quilting Snakes
Document
The document includes transcripts for Rebecca Hill's audio.
Photo
Resident of Promised Land, SC (Greenwood County). Learned how to quilt and make lye soap from her mother. Her father could make just about any type of split-oak basket: fish trap, clothes hamper...
Interactive
Listen to the interactive version of the Little Red Riding Hood in both English and Gullah. Storytelling performance by Anita Singleton Prather (Aunt Pearlie Sue)
Photo
Williams operated a pottery operation in the upcountry of South Carolina during the early 1900's. He may have been a descendant of Edgefield freed black potter Milage Williams or he may have learned...
Document
The document includes transcripts for Richard Blackwell's audio.
Photo
Richard “Chip” Chipman is no stranger to folks in the world of bluegrass music. Since 1987, Chipman has owned and operated Low Country Music in Moncks Corner. The store has become a place for...
