Appalachian Culture

Many people consider Appalachia as a mysterious region. Defining the Appalachian region has continued to stump modern scholars year after year. Today, there are still questions to what areas Appalachia actually lies in. North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Kentucky all hold a piece of the Appalachian region. The debate for the region boundaries will no doubt proceed, but no one can deny the power that lies in this land. The alluring Appalachian region is famous for its rich and diverse culture, consisting of mysterious boundaries, an interesting past, war-stained grounds, and people who have triumphed over hardships and shaped this land and culture into a territory of wonder and beauty.
Since the Appalachian region is abundant in wildlife and plant life, it provides all the necessities for living. The early settlers of Appalachia, the North American Indians, thrived in this environment. There are five cultural periods during Indian time considered by archeologists.
“1) The Paleo-Indian Period 2) The Archaic Period 3) The Woodland Tradition 4) The Mississippian Period and 5) The Historic Era. Appalachia was occupied by Indian societies at least

The consequences of the Civil War effected the soldiers during the war and during postwar. Many tried farming but were unable, due to previous wounds and broken down health. Many of the soldiers that were detained suffered from starvation and exposure, which resulted in inability to work for some time after the war. “For most respondents, the trek home was memorable primarily in that the war was over and they were, as William M. Harrad wrote, ‘free to return home once more as a citizen of this our America country’ ” (Noe and Wilson 19). Several men picked up where they left off and married and started a family. Some of the friends and family who fought against each other reunited after the war and stayed friends until death.

The Europeans flourished in the Appalachian region, eventually running off the Indians for the precious bounty of the land. Soon after the Europeans, Germans, and Scott-Irish settlers came to North America. This increased the regiments for the foreigners, and the wars between the newcomers and the Indians didn’t cease until the Indian tribes were almost completely destroyed. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for the new settlers to start fighting amongst each other.

An English scholar found that the people of Appalachia were rich in music along with values. “Cecil Sharp found more than just songs; he found a culture alive with music” (Kirby 148). The music of Appalachia was created for communication. Almost as universal as speaking was the mountain music. For the majority of people, music is a form of entertainment, something done by artist for our pleasure.