Monthly Archives: May 2018

Souls on the Swim from Alcatraz

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Greenwich, CT
Performance Date: 4/19/18
Primary Language: English

Collection: Swim to Alcatraz – Legend (ghost)

After being asked about city folklore, the informant described some of San Francisco’s urban lore. On the ferry ride over to San Francisco’s Alcatraz, a former prison, the informant was told that the water surrounding the island is full of sharks, as well as with the souls of those who attempted to escape.

Context: Alcatraz is located on an island just outside of San Francisco. Presently, it is a common tourist attraction with guided tours, ferry rides, and more. The informant has relatives who reside in San Francisco, therefore she is tied to that specific city lore. This story would be told when referencing Alcatraz as means of entertainment or information.

Interpretation: The informant’s reference to a soul or spirit is especially interesting because it also resonates with folklore in tourism. Folklore can be and is often incorporated into tourism to give visitors a sense of “authenticity.” In this case, the city lore, or legend, grants access to San Francisco exclusivity. Also, this narrative includes the common folk belief of a “soul” which alludes to the United States’ belief in spirits and ghosts despite differing influence from some religions and the government.

 

Lithuanian Folk Song

Nationality: Lithuanian
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: San Francisco, CA
Performance Date: 4/22/18
Primary Language: English
Language: Lithuanian, French

Collection: Lithuanian Folk SongThe informant detailed various songs that most Lithuanians know from their childhood which are not believed to have an author.

Context: Folk music can be interpreted in various ways including rhythm and tone. This folk song’s lyrics are significant for interpreting the context. According to the informant, everyone in the United States’ Lithuanian community seems to know the folk music including this song. This particular song originates from Lithuanian immigrants who sang about their desire to return to their homeland. As a result, the song ties those in the United States to older traditions and to the people back in Lithuania.

 

Hotel Ghost

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Greenwich, CT
Performance Date: 4/19/18
Primary Language: English

Collection: Legend – Ghost

A: “Have you had anything peculiar happen to you? Sounds? Sights?”

B: “Well I have a story about my sister! When she was around three years old, she would be walked in a stroller by our dad. One day, she was hysterically crying and staring up at this hotel. And my dad was really weirded out, or at least that’s what he tells us. My sister would have tantrums sometimes, but this was like really intense…I guess. And then she started actually pointing at the hotel. And then my dad told my mom later that night, and my mom was spooked! She like freaked out because that morning in the newspaper she had read that someone had been killed in that hotel just a few days prior. So, I guess that she felt some sort of presence from the hotel.”

Context/Evaluation: The hotel information serves context for the ghost aspect of the narrative. Also, the story implies acknowledgement of the soul’s existence after death.

 

Indian Dancing Ritual

Nationality: Indian
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Performance Date: 3/23/18
Primary Language: Hindi (urdu)
Language: English

Collection:  Indian wedding dances – groom’s side

During a discussion about Indian weddings, the informant mentioned that the groom is not allowed to see the bride before the ceremony. On the day of the ceremony, the groom and his family travel to the bride in an extravagant dancing parade which symbolizes him claiming her as his wife.

Context/Interpretation: Folk dancing is performed for various reasons, and in this case, the dance portrays a traditional action. Further, dancing at wedding is a pretty universal concept, however this dancing demonstration signifies a deeper meaning which the the initiation into marriage. This dance is rite of passage ritual.

 

Ravioli Ravioli

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Barrington, IL
Performance Date: 3/23/18
Primary Language: English

Collection: Family Holiday Tradition

A: “Do you have any family holiday traditions?”

B: “We will make ravioli from scratch when we get together because we are Italian. We are very Italian. Like my grandparents immigrated from Italy, and they used to own a pizzeria. My dad actually used to work in the pizzeria when he was in high school. Um…and so we have our own family recipes and sauce recipes.”

A: “Could I get one of the recipes?”

B: “I could, but the only way you could get it is if you married me.”

A/B: *laughter*

Context/Interpretation: The informant’s family tradition and recipe stems from a long line of Italian family members. I find the pizzeria anecdote slightly ironic because of the idea of “authenticity” in foreign restaurants. Does this collection make the recipe authentic? Who gives it the authenticity? Perhaps in this case, the tradition and recipe has vernacular authority through the large family.