Voices of Folklore

In this #FinallyFriday episode, host Matilda Siebrecht dives into the world of folklore with guests Colleen Deatherage and Ieva Pīgozne. Colleen, from the University of Alberta, combines her background in healthcare and social work with her expertise as a folklorist to explore how folklore aids in meaning-making, especially through material culture like textiles. Ieva, based at the Institute of Latvian History, is a dress historian whose work bridges archaeology and cultural anthropology to uncover the social and symbolic meanings of traditional dress and folklore.

The guests explore the complexities of interpreting folklore, noting how historical biases and modern politics shape its study. Ieva warns of folklore’s misuse in nationalist agendas, while Colleen highlights the need for caution in collecting and analyzing folklore to ensure respectful and accurate representation. They discuss overlaps with disciplines like archaeology and anthropology, underscoring folklore’s role in giving voice to marginalized histories.

Both share compelling examples: Ieva recounts insights gained from reenactment projects and folklore texts explaining archaeological anomalies, while Colleen describes using historical textiles to support patients’ legacy-making in modern healthcare. Their projects reflect the versatility of folklore in understanding human experiences across time.

This episode concludes the #FinallyFriday podcast series. The podcast’s format will evolve, but it remains a vital platform for exploring cultural heritage.

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