Cuckoo Day and Animal Sacrifice: Folklore of the Creatures of Spring
Spring is the herald of new life, and throughout the animal world, spring is a time to forecast the weather – and more – for the summer to come.
Wobbly Poets: Joe Hill, Signe Aurell, and Scandinavian-American Laborlore
The songs and poetry of the American labor movement are an example of occupational folklore or ‘laborlore’, which records worker voices and traditions.
Morris Folk: Making History
The Morris Folk project arose from a desire to document something as ephemeral as dance in new and innovative ways.
Protection from Evil, Bad Traffic or Bears: Omamori in Japanese Culture
Although their origins lie in Japanese folk traditions, omamori are still a popular sight throughout Japan. The word itself, 御守り, doesn’t have a direct translation into English, but they are protection charms – usually for sale within both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines – which are said to contain spirits.
Life in India: A Portrait of My First English Teacher
“Hat, cat, rat,” Umakant would shout at the top of his voice whenever he would see cowherds around the Peepal tree.