Appalachian Culture: Origins, Beliefs, Practices, and Social Organization
Overview
This paper examines Appalachian culture as a diverse, blended cultural identity spanning multiple American states including Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. It traces the origins of Appalachian culture to German, Irish, British, Indian, and African influences that settled in the region following the Revolutionary War, and analyzes the region's common beliefs, practices, communication patterns, and social organization structures.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to Appalachian culture's geographic scope and cultural diversity across multiple states
- Common beliefs and practices including religious traditions and ritual practices across different cultural blocks
- Origins of the culture tracing influences from German, Irish, British, Indian, and African sources post-Revolutionary War
- Communication patterns and cultural communication as a means of understanding multi-cultural religious expression
- Social organization structures describing interaction patterns between diverse groups and individuals
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Paper 4-Appalachian Culture
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The Appalachian Culture
Appalachian culture is quite diverse. It covers more than 5 American states, for instance, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, among other States. Their culture is blended with Irish, African, and German. They enjoy cultural activities such as food and games, making one of America's most extensive blended cultures. Appalachian culture is characterized by American values such as religion, family ties, and intense love for the land. The Appalachian culture is a way of life, and it was developed in the early 1700s (Bret & Mary,2020).
Common Beliefs and Practices
The most considerable portion of Appalachians is Christians, which aggregate to more than 78% religions such as Hinduism and Muslim share at least 27%. Furthermore, they also have ritual practices such as veneration, religious practices, and trances, among other practices. These practices differ in the Appalachian culture because tit comprises four main cultural blocks (Africa, British, Irish, and German). Therefore, some states have unique cultural practices and beliefs than others but share most religious traditions. For example, Alabama accommodates more than 60% non-Hispanic, unlike Kentucky, a mixed-race population. Although they are in the Appalachian region, they have varied cultural beliefs and practices. However, religion is a common belief in Appalachian culture.
The Origin of the Culture
The Appalachian culture typically originates from German, Irish, British, Indians, and Africa. After the revolutionary war, most people moved to the Appalachian Mountains to settle for farming and other commercial activities (Bret & Mary, 2020).