Culture Facts
- About
90% of Appalachia's first European settlers came from the Anglo-Scottish border
country. In America, these people are often called "Scotch-Irish."
- One
of the major pioneer group to migrate to Appalachia where Germans, settling
mainly in western Pennsylvania and Southwest Virginia.
- Christianity
is the main religion in Appalachia.
- The
Appalachian dialect is known as the Southern Midland dialect, and is spoken
primarily in central and southern Appalachia. In the northern parts of
Appalachia, the Northern Midland dialect is spoken.
- Education
in Appalachia has fallen behind the rest of the nation due partly to struggles
with funding and the failure to see a need for formal education. After the
Civil War, mandatory education helped begin to establish graded schools and
high schools.
- Appalachian
music is one of the most well-known symbol of Appalachian culture. Traditional
Appalachian music is derived from the English and Scottish ballad tradition and
Irish and Scottish fiddle music.
- The
banjo was also a major influence on Appalachian music. Another instrument known
to Appalachian culture was the Appalachian dulcimer.
- Early
Appalachian literature was usually based on the observations of people from
outside of the Appalachian region.
- Cherokee
folklore had influenced and continues to influence storytelling in the
Appalachians, including depictions and characteristics of regional animals.
- Appalachian
folk tales are based partly from English, Scottish, and Irish fairy tales, as
well as regional heroic figures and events.