Bavaria

Bavaria (/bəˈvɛəriə/; German: Freistaat Bayern [ˈfʁaɪ̯ʃtaːt ˈbajɛɐ̯n]) is a federal state of Germany. In the southeast of the country with an area of 70,548 square kilometres (27,200 sq mi), it is the largest state, making up almost a fifth of the total land area of Germany, and, with 12.6 million inhabitants, Germany's second most populous state. Munich, Bavaria's capital and largest city, is the third largest city in Germany.

The history of Bavaria stretches from its earliest settlement and formation as a duchy in the 6th century through the Holy Roman Empire to becoming an independent kingdom and finally a state of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Duchy of Bavaria dates back to the year 555. In the 17th century, the Duke of Bavaria became a Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire. The Kingdom of Bavaria existed from 1806 to 1918, when Bavaria became a republic. In 1946, the Free State of Bavaria re-organised itself on democratic lines.

Bavaria has a unique culture, largely because of the state's Catholic majority (52%) and Conservative traditions. Bavarians have traditionally been proud of their culture, which includes festivals such as Oktoberfest and elements of Alpine symbolism. The state also has the largest economy of any of the German states, giving it a status as a rather wealthy German region.

Folklore

Folklore can be described as traditional art, literature, knowledge, and practices that are passed on in large part through oral communication and example. The information thus transmitted expresses the shared ideas and values of a particular group. British antiquarian William Thoms is generally credited with coining the term "folklore" in 1846. As an academic discipline folklore shares methods, and insights with literature, anthropology, art, music, history, linguistics, philosophy, and mythology. Elliott Oring states that folklore is that part of culture that "lives happily ever after".Folkloristics is the academic study of folklore.

Definition

Ever since the term "folklore" was coined by William Thoms in 1846, there have been debates as to the meaning of the term among folklorists, with no widespread agreement.

The most common definition of folklore was that it represented 'oral tradition', or traditions that have been transmitted in an oral manner. This definition had several issues, however; in non-literate societies, for example, all culture is orally transmitted, making the concept of folklore in such a context all-encompassing. Moreover, even in literate societies there are many activities, such as brushing one's teeth or driving a vehicle, which are orally transmitted and yet not usually thought of as folklore. Accordingly, oral transmission alone is not seen as something that is enough to make something folkloric. Also problematizing the link between folklore and oral tradition is the fact that some practices that are widely deemed folkloric – such as epitaphs or chain letters – involve transmission through text. Similarly, some other folkloric practices, such as traditional dances, games, gestures, and symbols, are often transmitted visually rather than orally.

Folklore (Jorge Cafrune album)

Folklore is the second album by the Argentine singer Jorge Cafrune, released in Argentina in 1962.

Track listing

Folklore (16 Horsepower album)

Folklore is the 4th studio album by 16 Horsepower, released in 2002.

As hinted to by its name, most of the material on the album is drawn from traditional folk music. Only four of the songs ("Hutterite Mile," "Blessed Persistence," "Beyond the Pale" and "Flutter") on the album are original 16 Horsepower compositions.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by 16 Horsepower and David Eugene Edwards except where noted. 

External links