About the Michigan Traditional Arts Program (MTAP) What is
folklife? A Brief History of MTAP What is folklife? "Folklife"
or "folklore" are often used as synonyms for "traditional
culture" or simply "tradition." As practiced by ethnic,
regional, occupational, familial, and religious groups, folklife
refers to the traditional expressions through which these
communities maintain and pass on their shared sense of beauty,
identity, Generally, folklife is learned by example, through
imitation and repetition, rather than through formal instruction
such as classes or workshops. Ordinarily, valued and authentic
folk practitioners are brought up within a traditional
community, learning a repertoire and style from their seniors.
Folklore tends to express the values, tastes, and standards of
the cultural community which sustains it. Through a lifetime of
practice, tradition bearers refine and reshape their skills,
while maintaining the cultural and aesthetic values of their
Folklore is one of the more conservative aspec