Author Archives: sagemoor@usc.edu

Oven Ghost

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Kalama, WA
Performance Date: 4/22/18
Primary Language: English

Collection: oven ghost – Legend (ghost)

A: “Have you had anything weird happen to you in your house?”

B: “Well, the oven in my old house could or could not have been haunted. So, my old house…at random times, the oven would make a beeping sound like “beep beep beep” when you would press the buttons. And throughout the night, my mom would hear these beeping noises as if someone was using the oven, but nobody was. And this would happen almost every night, and it would wake her up. Also, the weird thing is that I lived down the street from a cemetery. So that can be a preface for whatever you want to believe. So eventually, my dad opened the face of the oven to see all of the wires, and he physically took out the wire and device that made the sound. But the beeping would still happen. Like my mom would wake up and stand near the oven, and it would be beeping, but if it she touched it, it wouldn’t work. But nothing really came of it. We just got another oven.”

Context/Interpretation: The informant described his home as being located near a cemetery. This background information adds to the narrative’s performance aspect, and the family’s involvement adds a sense of vernacular authority. Further, the cemetery’s proximity to his home provides preface to possible legend quests. Also, the investigation of the oven could be interpreted as a legend quest.

 

Lithuanian Festivals

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

Collection: Lithuanian festivals in Lithuania

A: “In Lithuania, are there any festivals?”

B: “Oh, let me tell you. We have a singing festival and a dancing festival, and these happen um every two years and and then I guess every two years, one of them is in Lithuania and one is somewhere around the world. So this year there is going to be one in Lithuania, whereas last year there was one in Baltimore. They have had them in Japan, China, Australia, Boston, places like that. So basically, it’s a joint festival where folk dancers or folk dancing groups from around the world, that practice — I’m in one in L.A. called Spindulys. Um *giggles* — practice every week and learn all these dances. And they come together and perform these dances; there are like 3,000 dancers all in sync in the national clothing, I guess the folkloric outfit. *laughs* And it’s a three-day event, so there is two day like two hour performances of the dances, and they have a showcase of singing all of the songs, but I’m not in a singing group. And they sing the traditional Lithuanian songs.”

A: “So essentially, it’s two of the same festival in two different places each year? Or one is dancing and one is singing?”

B: “Um… one is dancing and one is singing, but it’s the same festival kind of. I guess it’s just put together, so I guess it’s one festival.”

The informant went on to describe another version of the traditional Lithuanian festival which takes place in California called L.T. Days. The community within the United States created a local Lithuanian gathering which happens once a year. This festival has around 500 people, but the larger festival in Lithuania gets around 15,000 attendees. At L.T. Days, the informant participates in the traditional folk dancing with her group.

Context: According to the informant, the original Lithuanian festivals stemmed from Soviet control over Lithuania; Lithuanians held “small festivals underground… to keep the song and dance of Lithuania alive and to keep the language alive. And they did it behind the backs of the policeman.” Nowadays, the festivals are held to celebrate traditional Lithuanian customs and practices.

Interpretation: The community often plays a major role in festivals as demonstrated by the informant’s discussion. Also, festivals are known to  have symbolic references to protect or preserve community ideals and identity, just as the Lithuanian festivals hold onto song, dance, apparel, and more.

Annotated Bibliography:

“ FROM THE HISTORY OF SONG CELEBRATIONS.” Song Festival 2018.

According to the Lithuanian Song Celebration website, festivals praises “creative self-expression, vitality of the national culture, love for the homeland and solidarity of its people.” Further, festivals are one of the most significant ways to connect distant people both geographically and culturally. The article also references the Soviet period in which Lithuanians celebrated discretely to maintain their culture.

 

Sangeet Dancing

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 – bride’s side

The interview began with a broad opening question about Indian weddings. The informant went on to describe the two-day event. The first day is called Sangeet which takes place in a venue where a reception might take place. However, this portion of the event is before the official ceremony. On this first day, there are many different dance performances and skits from both sides of the family. Most of the performances are from the bride’s side to “show the groom what he is getting himself into…what kind of family that he is getting into.” There are dances for the sibling, aunts, children, friends, and more.

Context: Dances are performed by different sides of the family on different days of the wedding.

Interpretation: Folk dancing takes on many meanings, purposes, and forms. In India, the bride’s family dances to symbolize the joining of two families. The Sangeet dancing is almost an introduction to her side of the family.

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.