Folklife in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s "folklife" is the traditional expressive culture that is rooted in the past and has been informally transmitted from generation to generation by word of mouth or through the imitation of customary examples. These cultural expressions occur in a variety of forms, including beliefs, folk medicine, folktales, legends, music, song, arts and crafts, foodways, customs and celebrations. Folklife is rooted in communities based on shared identities, such as kinship, ethnic background, religion, occupation, and place of residence. Michael Bell presents a rich cross section of Rhode Island folklife that he has collected as Rhode Island State Folklorist since 1979.
Dr. Michael E. Bell, consulting folklorist with the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, develops and implements programs that express and interpret Rhode Island folklife and oral history. He received his Ph.D. in Folklore from Indiana University, Bloomington, 1980 and his dissertation topic was African American voodoo practices. He is principal scholar on the Pawtuxet Village: One Space, Many Places project and the Pawtuxet Village Freedom Project; Folklorist on the Languages of the Land: a Dialogue with Salter Grove and Fish Tales projects, amongst many others. He is on the board of directors at the Cranston Historical Society, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Voices and Visions of Village Life project, and former Chair of the Cranston Historic District Commission.
Needs: Powerpoint projector (preferred) or slide projector/screen and lighted lectern/water