Oklahoma
odd: label: Introduction
content: The 75th anniversary of the State of Oklahoma's admission to the Unites States - its Diamond Jubilee - was celebrated at the 1982 Festival with the presentation of cultural traditions that Oklahomans nourish and support. Music and craft traditions associated with diverse ethnic groups in Oklahoma were presented, as well as skills, knowledge, and lore associated with two major Oklahoma institutions - horses and oil. Indeed, a horse-racing track and show ring were created in the center of the National Mall to host programs spotlighting Oklahoma horse culture.

The strength of folklife in Oklahoma stems from contrasts in the state's landscape and diversity of its cultures. The original settlers in the area now Oklahoma were the Osages, Quapaws, Caddos, Pawnees, Wichitas, Comanches, and Kiowas, but in the 1820s as the Indian removal from the South became the national goal, the Five Civilized Tribes were forcibly marched to "Indian Territory." During the next fifty years, additional tribes were removed to the Territory until today over fifty-five tribes are represented within the state.

In non-Indian culture Oklahoma is a late-comer. White settlement did not start until 1889 with the first land run, and for the next fifteen years additional Indian lands were opened through other land runs, lotteries, and allotments. Oklahoma became the melting pot of the nation. Because it offered free farm land for many new European immigrants, more people moved into Oklahoma in a shorter period of time than any other migration in American history. Also, mining - particularly coal mining - was developed by Indians in the eastern Territory, which attracted many Italian, as well as Mexican and Welsh immigrants, to the new coal fields, and communities that were predominantly Italian grew up around them. Other communities predominantly of one ethnic group, such as Polish, German, Russian-German, Czech and Slovak, were established in the free land areas of central and western Oklahoma, and their Old World traditions continue to flourish until now.

Next to Anglo, Mexican, and Indian cultures, blacks compose the largest ethnic group, but even some black traditions were transported to Oklahoma by Indians. Many citizens of the Five Civilized Tribes were plantation slave holders in their southern homes, and when they were removed to Indian Territory, they took their cotton farming traditions and slaves with them. When the Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves of the Indians, they became known as Indian Freedmen and congregated into all-black settlements. Later, a movement was started to make Oklahoma an all-black state.

Music has played a strong role in all areas of Oklahoma folklife. Fiddle music is widespread and its various styles reflect the state's diversification. Western swing and dance music developed into what is often referred to as the Texas-Oklahoma style, in which a "breakdown" is slowed and the full bow is used; still, a hybrid Oklahoma fiddler has the ability to play almost any style. Places where Saturday night dances are held can be found in communities of all sizes as well as in the country, miles from the nearest town. A cultural blend of musical styles, western swing has one primary characteristic - a danceable beat. While country and bluegrass music primarily emerged as listening traditions, the principal audience for western swing is a dancing crowd. If the listeners on a Saturday night outnumber the dancers, the band has failed at playing good western swing.

Not all music is secular, for gospel is also very much alive. The tradition of shape-note singing was first introduced among the Five Civilized Tribes and taught to the Indian Freedmen. Shape-note singing became widespread among Christians, and, as whites settled in the state, the singing schools expanded. Indian crafts proliferate in Oklahoma. In the past decade, increasing numbers of persons from many tribes have moved to Oklahoma, often as a result of marrying a person from an Oklahoman tribe, but just as often to relocate to a good crafts market. The crafts of Oklahoman tribes include baskets, pottery, flute making, woodcarving, headwork, hidework, patchwork, appliquework, featherwork, quilting and German silverwork. They continue to flourish as old ways are increasingly appreciated and practiced.

Sue Manos served as Oklahoma Program Coordinator.
label: Participants
content: Children's Area

Maudie Cheshewalla, 1928-, finger weaver, Pawhuska

David Danielson, 1932-, entertainment leader, Norman

Ronald A. Doherty, 1929-, trick roper, Skiatook

Lorene Drywater, 1932-, buffalo grass dolls maker, Tahlequah

Bradley Hicks, 1961-, trick roper, Noble

Erwin Householder, 1923-2000, muleskinner, Sulphur

Crafts

John V. Balzer, 1898-, woodcarver, Hooker

Carolyn June Barry, 1938-, quilter, Oklahoma City

Bud Austin Beaston, 1930-2004, farrier, Sperry

Bruce Caesar, 1952-, German silver worker, Anadarko

Sarah Rose Crim, 1921-1987, quilter, Norman

Mavis Doering, 1929-, basket weaver, Oklahoma City

Melvin Geionety, feather worker, threadworker, Carnegie

Nellie Guerrero, 1914-, thread puller Oklahoma City

Elaine Hardage, 1952-, chair maker, Malvern, Arkansas

Gary Hardage, 1950-, chair maker, Malvern, Arkansas

Lucille Hogue, 1916-1998, bootmaker, Oklahoma City

Oles Hogue, 1912-1987, bootmaker, Oklahoma City

Billy Evans Horse, 1930-, beadworker, gourd stitcher, Carnegie

Anna Belle Mitchell, 1926-, potter, Vinita

Tim Ramsey, 1960-, buckskin worker, Oklahoma City

Joseph Rice, 1934-2005, beadworker, featherworker, Meeker

Bobby Roades, Jr., 1928-, rope maker, Waukomis

William Rohde, 1913-1999, fiddle maker, Tulsa

Shalah Rowlen, 1927-, ribbon worker, Meeker

Glenn Warren, 1942-, saddle maker, Cleveland, Oklahoma

Horse Program

Robert Close, 1938-, cutting horses, Piedmont

Sherri Lyn Close, 1966-, cutting horses, Piedmont

Bruce Colclasure, 1952-, cutting horses, Depew

Clarence Danielson, 1932-, horse trainer, Norman

Janice Danielson, 1936-2007, groom, Norman

Mark A. Danielson, 1963-, jockey, Norman

Elton White Eagle, jockey, Fort Cobb

Gary Edgmon, 1956-, race trainer, Walters

Elmer Jay, 1932-1999, trainer, Fort Cobb

Elmer Jay, Jr., groom, Fort Cobb

Susie McCammon, 1949-, jockey, Walters

Jerry McCurdy, 1945-, groom, Walters

Clem McSpadden, race and performance announcer, Chelsea

Greg Shofner, 1959-, jockey, Jones

Janet Sue Smith, groom, Jones

Mike Smith, 1950-, trainer, Jones

Eddie Wood, auction announcer, Wynnewood

Dale Youree, 1929-, barrel racer, Addington

Florence Youree, 1933-, barrel racer, Addington

Music

J.C. Broughton, 1934-, fiddler, Sapulpa

Larry Broughton, 1957-, guitarist, Sapulpa

Robert Lee Crawford, 1923-1991, fiddler, Tahlequah

George Guinn, 1943-, blues singer, Moodys

Logsdon Family Band  -- Logsdon Family BandBobbie Koch, 1930-, pianist, Redding, CaliforniaGuy Logsdon, vocalist, guitarist, TulsaJohn T. Logsdon, 1932-, vocalist, FittstownLaura Jean Long, 1928-, fiddler, El RenoWilliam Wade Long, 1922-1996, cowboy singer, El RenoCindy Lou Young, 1956-, fiddler, Glendale, Arizona

Los Vigitos  -- Los VigitosAl Leal, guitarist, Oklahoma CityFrank Limon, guitarist, mandolinist-Del CityJesse Serna, 1904-1993, fiddler, Oklahoma City

Matthew McClarty, Sr., 1931-1999, gospel singer, pianist, Ada

Matthew McClarty, Jr., 1964-, electric bass player, Ada

Michael McClarty, 1959-, guitarist, Ada

Anita Martinez, dancer, Oklahoma City

Floyd Midgett, 1936-, harmonica player, Langley

Reaves Nahwooksy, honoring dance announcer, Norman

New Harmony Singers  -- New Harmony SingersL.Z. Alexander, president, organizer, WetumkaRuth Alexander, 1928-2003, WetumkaRosa Lee Anderson, 1909-1993, EarlsboroMoses Coleman, HoldenvilleLurena Douglas, EarlsboroMyrtle Hill, 1907-1993, WewokaOphelia Pruitt, 1909-1997, EarlsboroHenry Samilton, 1898-1990, WewokaRev. Robert Shelton, Oklahoma CityHurlena Spencer, Wewoka

Freda Faye Tietz, 1939-, clog dancer, Ripley

Claude Williams, 1908-2004, swing fiddler, Kansas City, Missouri

Johnnie Lee Wills Band  -- Johnnie Lee Wills BandClarence Cagle, 1920-2003, pianist, Rogers, ArkansasJon Cummins, 1951-, electric bass player, TulsaShirl Cummins, 1920-1990, singer, TulsaCandy Noe Ferguson, 1949-, soloist, TulsaRoy Ferguson, 1936-, guitarist, TulsaBenny Garcia, 1926-2005, fiddler, Oklahoma CityJoe Holly, 1917-1987, fiddler, Fresno, CaliforniaRudy Martin, clarinetist, EnidTommy Perkins, 1934-2003, drummer, Oklahoma CityGlenn Rhees, 1925-1996, saxophonist, CollinsvilleJack Rider, 1934-1989, steel guitarist, StilwellJohnnie Lee Wills, band leader, OwassoRobert Wommack, 1930-1983, trumpet player, Treece, Kansas

Oil Industry

Virgil Anderson, 1913-1999, pipeliner, Drumright

Leroy Bath, pipeliner, Tulsa

Neal Budge, 1915-2000, pipeliner, Cushing

Melvin Cook, 1916-1995, pipeliner, Drumright

Steve Council, explorer, Ponca City

Brice Downing, 1925-2001, pipeliner, Tulsa

Roy Garten, 1915-2006, explorer, Ponca City

Bill Gibson, explorer, Tulsa

Edward Herndon, oil driller, Ertid

Bill H. Hester, 1905-1995, pipeliner, Drumright

Helmut Lenske, oil driller, Enid

Fred McAninch, oil driller, Enid

John Marks, 1943-, explorer, Tulsa

Clarence Merrill, 1908-1989, pipeliner, Drumright

Jim Rodriguez, oil pumper, Oklahoma City

Chuck Schreck, explorer, Ponca City

Ancil Settle, 1894-1981, gager, Drumright

Lee Roy Smaltz, 1900-1990, doodlebugger, witcher, Cushing

Darrell Smith, 1947-, pumper, model builder, Oilton

Tom Spradlin, 1917-1989, oil model builder, Oilton
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
setName: label: See more items in
content: Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1982 Festival of American Folklife
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
identifier: label: Identifier
content: CFCH.SFF.1982, Series 5
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials