Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
Persistance and Adaptation of Christmas Processional Drama in the Anthracite Region of Pennsylvania's Appalachian Mountains
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
When immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe arrived in the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania's Appalachian Mountains, they brought their CHristmas traditions with them. These included both formal Christmas rituals from their Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and folk customs done outside, or in opposition to, church leaders. Among these were the Processional Drama of the Shepherd Carolers, sometimes called Gubi, Jaslickari, or Kuba Men. In most parts of America intermarriage and migration out of ethnic enclaves gradually eroded the importance and practice of folk custom. THe Anthracite Coal fields of Pennsylvania's Appalachian Mountains proved to be an exception. Due to the early collapse of the Anthracite industry, few new residents moved to the area. While intermarriage between ethnic groups occurred, people continued to attend and express themselves through ethnic churches and organizations. Folk ritual remained alive, although often in modified form. In this paper the authors will describe how they encountered the tradition of the shepherd carolers, explain the different forms of Christmas processional drama among the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Churches, and the particular problems of studying it within the Orthodox tradition. It is hoped that our work will explain why these processional dramas continue and explain how they have sometimes been transferred from churches to non-religious voluntary organizations.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Dr. Nicole Andel holds BA degrees in English Literature and Mathematics from Lehigh University, an MA in English from Carnegie-Mellon University, and PhD in English from Duquesne. She has taught English and other subjuects at Penjn State-Schuylkill Campus since 2000, with a research agenda focusing on Medieval and Renaissance Drama and Popular Culture.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Harold Aurand Jr. holds a BA in History from Penn State University and a MA and PhD from the University of Minnesota. He has taught history and American Studies classes at Penn State-Schuylkill Campus since 1992, with a research agenda focusing on American Popular Culture, particularly as it pertains to the Anthracite Coal Region of Pennsylvania.
Persistance and Adaptation of Christmas Processional Drama in the Anthracite Region of Pennsylvania's Appalachian Mountains
When immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe arrived in the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania's Appalachian Mountains, they brought their CHristmas traditions with them. These included both formal Christmas rituals from their Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and folk customs done outside, or in opposition to, church leaders. Among these were the Processional Drama of the Shepherd Carolers, sometimes called Gubi, Jaslickari, or Kuba Men. In most parts of America intermarriage and migration out of ethnic enclaves gradually eroded the importance and practice of folk custom. THe Anthracite Coal fields of Pennsylvania's Appalachian Mountains proved to be an exception. Due to the early collapse of the Anthracite industry, few new residents moved to the area. While intermarriage between ethnic groups occurred, people continued to attend and express themselves through ethnic churches and organizations. Folk ritual remained alive, although often in modified form. In this paper the authors will describe how they encountered the tradition of the shepherd carolers, explain the different forms of Christmas processional drama among the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Churches, and the particular problems of studying it within the Orthodox tradition. It is hoped that our work will explain why these processional dramas continue and explain how they have sometimes been transferred from churches to non-religious voluntary organizations.
