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Digital Traditions

Home to a wealth of folk traditions, South Carolina is culturally and geographically diverse. 

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.

Resource Type
You Better Run | Louise Miller Cohen | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades

  • Higher Education
You Better Run | Louise Miller Cohen | Digital Traditions
Episode 4
Cohen performing a traditional African American spiritual at the 2002 South Carolina Traditional Arts Network Concert in Columbia, SC. Recording by Bob McAnally of Clemson Radio Productions/SCERN.
The Visitor | Carolyn White | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades

  • Higher Education
The Visitor | Carolyn White | Digital Traditions
Episode 6
Recorded at the 1998 Fall Folklife Festival, McKissick Museum. Notice the differences between this version and the version in the video clip. As with most forms of folk narrative, variation is an...
Agnes Brown Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades

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Agnes Brown Photos | Digital Traditions
West Africans brought to the South Carolina and Georgia coasts as slaves settled on geographically isolated plantations whose owners often were absent. Such conditions allowed lowcountry slaves to...
Gee Wah Song | Alda Smith | Digital Traditions Hard Luck Blues | Alda Smith | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades

  • Higher Education
Hard Luck Blues | Alda Smith | Digital Traditions
Ralph Smith performing on Country Earle's WAGI radio program in 1955. Ralph was well-known for his "talking blues" and played many of the same songs as upstate blues musician and talking blues pioneer...