Digital Traditions

General - Traditional Arts

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.

Elizabeth Ringus: Spongeware | Digital Traditions
Episode 1

Audio

Elizabeth Ringus, Paw Print Pottery Barnwell, Barnwell County. Interview recorded June 2007. Liz Ringus has been turning pots for over 36 years. A native of Massachusetts, Ringus and her husband Paul...
Experimenting with Glazes | Digital Traditions
Episode 1

Audio

Eugene Pottery, Cowpens, Cherokee County. Interview recorded June 2007 as the Folklife Resource Center continues to document pottery traditions in South Carolina. Winton Eugene is a self-taught potter...
Hash Video Transcript | Digital Traditions
Hash Video Transcript | Digital Traditions
Episode 1

Document

Video Transcripts for: Big T's BBQ Duke's Barbecue Mr. B's BBQ Unique to South Carolina, hash grew out of the Carolina rice kitchens when African-American slave cooks needed to make a hardy, protein...
Helen Satterley Audio Transcript | Digital Traditions
Helen Satterley Audio Transcript | Digital Traditions
Episode 1

Document

Audio transcript for Helen Satterley Resident of McClellanville, SC (Charleston County). She grew up learning to speak Gullah and tells jokes and stories in the Gullah language. Her house was damaged...